The future of neuroleptic psychopharmacology

Neuroleptic drugs have had a great impact on the treatment of psychotic states. The presence of acute and long-term side effects, however, has led to a reconsideration of the risks and benefits of these drugs. The need to use a minimum efficacious dose has led to the implementation of new treatment regimens and attempts to establish a relationship between clinical response and neuroleptic plasma levels. This article will review the factors influencing and conditioning the response to neuroleptic treatment and examine the predictors of good and poor response to neuroleptic drugs. Dopamine-receptor supersensitivity associated with chronic neuroleptic treatment is also considered, as well as new strategies in the treatment of psychotic states.