[The "neuroleptic threshold"--a review of the literature]

The neuroleptic threshold theory raised the expectation that schizophrenic patients could be treated with an optimal, individual neuroleptic dosage, causing no side effects. Although most existing studies do not fulfill current methodological standards, a few methodologically convincing analyses confirm that good clinical results can be achieved with relatively low dosages (4 mg haloperidol equivalent per day). Thus, the neuroleptic threshold theory and methods related to it deserve further research.