Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs

 

Characteristics of Schizophrenia

There is no defining cluster of schizophrenic symptoms

Etiology of Schizophrenia

Abnormalities of brain structure and function occur in individuals with schizophrenia

Genetic, environmental, and developmental factors interact

Box 19.1 The Cutting Edge Epigenetic Modifications and Risk for Schizophrenia

Preclinical Models of Schizophrenia

Box 19.2 Pharmacology In Action The Prenatal Inflammation Model of Schizophrenia

Neurochemical Models of Schizophrenia

Abnormal dopamine function contributes to schizophrenic symptoms

The neurodevelopmental model integrates anatomical and neurochemical evidence

Glutamate and other neurotransmitters contribute to symptoms

Classic Neuroleptics and Atypical Antipsychotics

Phenothiazines and butyrophenones are classic neuroleptics

Dopamine receptor antagonism is responsible for antipsychotic action

Side effects are directly related to neurochemical action

Atypical antipsychotics are distinctive in several ways

Practical clinical trials help clinicians make decisions about drugs

There are renewed efforts to treat the cognitive symptoms