Abstract
METHOD: Three specific developments in the field of schizophrenia are highlighted: advances in knowledge related to the earliest stages of schizophrenia, specifically the prodrome; reconceptualization of schizophrenia as an illness of multiple symptom domains; and greater clarification regarding the efficacy of clozapine and a new generation of APs.
RESULTS: Evidence indicating that negative and cognitive symptoms are present during the prodrome suggests that intervention at the time of first-episode psychosis constitutes late intervention. The limited efficacy of APs beyond psychosis argues against a magic bullet approach to schizophrenia and for polypharmacy that is symptom domain-specific. Clozapine's unique, but limited, efficacy in treatment resistance supports subtyping schizophrenia based on treatment response.
CONCLUSIONS: Advances in our understanding of schizophrenia have important implications regarding the current use of APs, expectations regarding response, and future drug development.
OBJECTIVE: To examine how advances in our understanding of schizophrenia have shaped thinking about antipsychotics (APs) and their role in treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S14-S18 |
| Journal | Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 Mar 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health