What does schizophrenia teach us about antipsychotics?

Gary Remington, Ofer Agid, George Foussias, Gagan Fervaha, Hiroyoshi Takeuchi, Jimmy Lee, Margaret Hahn

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S14-S18
JournalCanadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie
Volume60
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Mar 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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