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Neuroleptic Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Significance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Frits-axel Wiesel
Frits-axel Wiesel*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Ulleråker, S-750 17 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract

Neuroleptic drugs have been used in the treatment of schizophrenic patients for 40 years. In the 1960s it was proposed that the mechanism of action was a blockade of dopamine receptors; in vivo studies give strong evidence that a blockade of D2 dopamine receptors mediate the antipsychotic effect of classic neuroleptics. However, the antipsychotic effect of neuroleptics is synergistic with family treatment and social-skills training.

Type
II. The Treatment of Schizophrenia
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 164 , Issue S23: Integrated Approach to Schizophrenia , April 1994 , pp. 65 - 70
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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