Chronic antipsychotic treatment exerts limited effects on the mania-like behavior of dopamine transporter knockdown mice.

Background: Bipolar disorder is a life-threatening disorder linked to dopamine transporter (DAT) polymorphisms, with reduced DAT levels seen in positron emission tomography and postmortem brains.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of approved antipsychotics on DAT dysfunction-mediated mania behavior in mice.

Methods: DAT knockdown mice received either D-family receptor antagonist risperidone or asenapine and mania-related behaviors were assessed in the clinically-relevant behavioral pattern monitor to assess spontaneous exploration.

Results: Chronic risperidone did not reverse mania-like behavior in DAT knockdown mice. Chronic asenapine reduced mania behavior but this effect was more pronounced in wild-type littermates than in DAT knockdown mice.

Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that while acute antipsychotic treatment may be beneficial in management of bipolar mania, more targeted therapeutics may be necessary for long-term treatment. Specific investigation into DAT-targeting drugs could improve future treatment of bipolar mania.