The effect of E-5842, a sigma receptor ligand and potential atypical antipsychotic, on Fos expression in rat forebrain

We examined the ability of E-5842 (4-(4-fluorophenil)-1,2,3,6- tetrahydro-1-[4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-il)butyl] pyridine citrate), a Sigma Receptor ligand, to increase Fos protein expression in regions of rat forebrain. An acute administration of E-5842 increased levels of Fos in the medial prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, without affecting the levels of the protein in the striatum, an effect very similar to that of clozapine. Our results suggest that E-5842 may be an atypical antipsychotic with low propensity to produce extrapyramidal side-effects.