Biological perspectives. Aripiprazole: a third generation of antipsychotics begins?

Schizophrenia places an incredible burden on patients, families, communities, and governments, therefore intense efforts to find therapeutic responses to this illness continue. The traditional antipsychotics were discovered by chance, the atypical antipsychotics were configured to preserve "what worked" while adding and eliminating important effects, and the next generation continues to evolve in an attempt to improve on previous generations. Aripiprazole is extoled as a new generation of antipsychotic drugs. Information to date suggests it is an effective antipsychotic with a remarkable side effect profile. We are hopeful this drug will provide a relief for the suffering associated with schizophrenia.