Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
05:14
Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
3.7K
The antipsychotics functional index (AFI) in schizophrenia.
Gabriel-Cristian Marinescu1, Petru Iulian Ifteni2, Andreea Teodorescu2
1Dr. Marinescu G Gabriel-Cristian CMI, Pitesti, Romania.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|July 17, 2025
Summary
A new Antipsychotics Functional Index (AFI) ranks 29 antipsychotics for schizophrenia treatment. Long-acting injections, particularly D2 partial agonists like aripiprazole, show the most promise for improving patient functionality.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Schizophrenia significantly impairs patient functionality.
- Current antipsychotics vary in their ability to restore functionality.
- A comparative tool is needed to guide treatment selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a theoretical index, the Antipsychotics Functional Index (AFI), for predicting antipsychotic efficacy in improving schizophrenia patient functionality.
- To compare 29 first- and second-generation antipsychotics based on factors influencing functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Developed the Antipsychotics Functional Index (AFI) by integrating pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, formulation, administration ease, and safety.
- Ranked 29 antipsychotics using the AFI, prioritizing D2 partial agonism and less frequent administration.
Main Results:
- The AFI identified aripiprazole long-acting injection (LAI) as the top-ranked antipsychotic due to its D2 partial agonist mechanism and flexible dosing (1-2 months).
- Paliperidone LAI, administered every 6 months, ranked highly due to its infrequent dosing schedule.
- Second-generation LAI antipsychotics generally scored highest for improving functionality.
Conclusions:
- The AFI provides a framework for selecting antipsychotics to maximize patient functionality in schizophrenia.
- D2 partial agonism and long-acting injectable formulations are key pharmacodynamic and administration advantages.
- This index can aid psychiatrists in personalized treatment decisions for schizophrenia patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
326
Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...
326
01:28Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
463
The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic...
463
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
212
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
212
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
390
Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
390
01:28Drug Therapy
105
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
105
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
993
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
993