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Current Treatment Options and Emerging Agents for Schizophrenia
1Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|April 17, 2020
Summary
New antipsychotics show promise for treating schizophrenia symptoms beyond positive ones, with fewer side effects. Ongoing research explores novel mechanisms to improve patient outcomes and functional recovery in schizophrenia treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current antipsychotics primarily address positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Existing treatments often have significant adverse effects.
- There is a need for novel treatments targeting broader symptom domains and improving tolerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recently approved and investigational novel agents for schizophrenia treatment.
- To discuss emerging mechanisms of action for schizophrenia pharmacotherapy.
- To highlight the potential for improved efficacy and safety in schizophrenia management.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trial data and approved medications.
- Discussion of pharmacological mechanisms under investigation.
- Analysis of potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia symptoms.
Main Results:
- Several novel agents with diverse mechanisms are in development.
- Investigational mechanisms include D3 antagonism/5-HT1A agonism, combined neurotransmitter modulation, PDE10A inhibition, TAAR1 agonism, 5-HT2A inverse agonism, sigma-2/5-HT2A antagonism, DAAO inhibition, glycine transporter-1 inhibition, VMAT-2 antagonism, and mu opioid antagonism.
- Novel long-acting injectable formulations are also being developed.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing trials offer hope for treatments targeting diverse schizophrenia symptoms.
- Novel agents aim to minimize adverse effects and enhance functional outcomes.
- Recent approvals and pipeline candidates represent significant advancements in schizophrenia pharmacotherapy.
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