Antipsychotics are associated with a wide range of adverse effects, several of which may represent a serious health risk to patients. There is an increased concern about metabolic disturbances associated with antipsychotics, including weight gain, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances and, in particular, those related to the induction of abnormal glucose metabolism and diabetes. The present article aimed to identify those receptor(s) that are most likely to be involved with or mediate antipsychotics-induced diabetes. Two independent measures taken from literature to indicate the risk of type 2 diabetes associated with 25 typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs were considered, along with their binding affinities to 21 specific receptors (obtained from the resources of Prous Science Integrity). A range of both exploratory and predictive statistical analyses were applied, including principal component factorial analysis, multivariable linear regression analysis, and discriminant analysis. Binding affinities (pKi) to human neurotransmitter receptors and monoaminergic transporters were used as independent variables (predictors). Measures to determine the risk to induce new-onset type 2 diabetes associated with each antipsychotic, logistic regression odds-ratio (dOR) and a discrete scale-based risk (three levels: 'low,' 'moderate,' 'high'), were used as the dependent variables (criteria). Similarly, parallel analyses were also conducted for other measures (average effective therapeutic dose) or adverse effects (weight gain, extrapyramidal side effects, hyperprolactinemia, anticholinergic, hypotension, and sedation) associated with antipsychotics, where underlying mechanisms have been previously established and, therefore, serve as positive-control references. Affinity for the cholinergic muscarinic M3 receptor subtype was presented as the best predictor for the propensity of antipsychotics to induce type 2 diabetes. This was independently revealed by means of multiple linear regression analysis, using the dOR as criterion (R=0.90, p<0.0001), and discriminant analysis, using the scale-based risk of type 2 diabetes (3 levels) as criterion (Wilks' lambda=0.33, chi2=14.11, p<0.001). To our knowledge, this study provides the first direct evidence to indicate that antipsychotic agents with high binding affinity to the muscarinic M3 receptor are associated with an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes. Rationale of the M3 receptor involvement in this adverse effect is discussed further in relation to M3 receptor mediation of glucose-dependent parasympathetic acetylcholine regulation of insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells. This study is the first in a series of investigations that aim to further our understanding of mechanisms underlying adverse drug effects.

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Although noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists have shown an anxiolyticlike profile in several studies, such effects have not been observed consistently. Previous studies with ketamine, a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, have employed only shock tests of anxiety based on conflict procedures. In the present experiment, the effect of an acute low dose of ketamine (7 mg/kg) was examined in adult male Wistar rats tested in three nonconflict tests: holeboard, social interaction, and elevated plus‐maze paradigms. The results showed that ketamine decreased time spent in active social interaction and the number of rearings and central activity in the social interaction test. It also decreased the number of entries into and the percentage of time spent in open arms and the total number of entries in the elevated plus‐maze. No significant effect was observed in head dipping in the holeboard test, although the number of crossings did increase. These results suggest an anxiogeniclike effect of ketamine in contrast with results previously described for noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists. These effects of ketamine are more similar to those described for stimulant drugs such as caffeine, cocaine, or amphetamine in anxiety tests. Depression and Anxiety 5:29–33, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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The objective of the present study was to assess the behavioural effects of rolipram, a specific cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor, in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test in rats. Results showed that rolipram at the highest dose tested (0.1 mg/kg) increased the percentage of both time spent and entries into open arms, although a decrease of locomotor activity in the EPM test was also observed. In contrast, diazepam (3.0 mg/kg) exhibited the typical profile of an anxiolytic in the EPM test, increasing the percentage of time spent and entries into open arms as well as locomotor activity. A posterior statistical analysis, however, established that the effects of both rolipram and diazepam on parameters denoting anxiolytic-like activity were statistically independent from those reflecting locomotor activity reduction. Furthermore, the effects of both rolipram and diazepam were shown to be distinct from those exhibited by tricyclic antidepressant imipramine which did not show any anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM test, although a reduction of locomotor activity was also detected. Although these preliminary results suggest that rolipram may have some anxiolytic-like properties on the EPM test in rats, such an interpretation should be taken cautiously due to the observed effects on locomotor activity, which could complicate the interpretation of results from rolipram and other PDE4 inhibitors in the current test and in other anxiety animal models.