Receptor pharmacology of neuroleptics: relation to clinical effects

This article reviews the receptor pharmacology of neuroleptics, with a focus on newer drugs (e.g., risperidone, olanzapine, sertindole, quetiapine, and ziprasidone) in contrast to older compounds. All these newer compounds are considered to be atypical neuroleptics based upon certain criteria, which are reviewed. Several hypotheses about the molecular mechanisms that explain atypicality are considered. Finally, the in vitro receptor binding data presented for these compounds are related to the therapeutic and adverse effects of these drugs.