Schizophrenia : Changing Concepts and the Development of Novel Antipsychotics

The introduction of chlorpromazine in the 1950's revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia and ultimately led to the development of selective $D_2$ antagonists such as haloperidol, a goal in keeping with the prevalent theories at that time. However, limitations in the efficacy of these agents, a growing awareness of their side effects, and theoretical shifts in our understanding of schizophrenia have encouraged ongoing efforts to develop better 'atypical' antipsychotics. Clozapine, and subsequently risperidone, represent examples of these novel compounds, both of which incorporate shared serotonin-dopamine antagonism(SDA). The next years will be dominated by further development of SDA compounds, although a number of other lines of investigation are also being pursued.