The relative abundance of dopamine D4 receptor mRNA in post mortem brains of schizophrenics and controls

An increase in dopamine D4 receptors has recently been reported in post mortem brain samples from schizophrenics. We have attempted to complement this finding by assessing the levels of the specific messenger RNA (mRNA) for the D4 receptor, using the technique of quantitative RNA-PCR. No significant differences in the levels of expression of mRNA for the D4 receptor were found in the brains from schizophrenics compared to controls. The relationship between D4 receptors and schizophrenia, therefore, remains unclear.