Classical and emerging pharmacological therapy of schizophrenia

Abstract

This thesis, entitled 'Classical and emerging pharmacological therapy of schizophrenia', aims to investigate current and future pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia. The risk factors, pathomechanism, symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis of schizophrenia are discussed, as well as the history and understanding of the disease. Current generation pharmacological therapies are explored, including first generation, second generation and third generation antipsychotic medications. For each group, the history, mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects are discussed and compared, with the aim of describing how these treatments relate to the understanding of schizophrenia and how they are able to improve the symptoms of the disease. Finally, concepts of future antipsychotic drug design are explored, particularly drugs currently under investigation and with novel mechanisms of action which are indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.