Review article

Overview of the Most Important Antipsychotics and their Mechanisms of Action

Maja Živković

Abstract

Although antipsychotics primarilly act by blocking dopamine D2 receptors, they also influence other neurotransmitter systems such as the serotonergic, the histaminergic, the adrenergic and the cholinergic system. Additionally, they have an indirect effect on the GABA and the glutaminergic system and ultimately on gene expression. Such a complex mechanism of action has been shown to be effective in the treatment of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. However, in the treatment of negative, affective and cognitive symptoms, the expected therapeutic effect has not yet been achieved. Therefore, further research and development of new drugs, either as an augmentation to existing antipsychotics, or completely new molecules with a wider spectrum and activity on psychopathological domain of shizophrenia, are necessary to improve the treatment. Within that context, this paper will discuss the mechanisms of action of antipsychotics responsible for the therapeutic effects and development of adverse effects, as well as pharmacologic properties of individual antipsychotics.

Keywords

antipsychotics; neurotransmitters; receptors; dopamine; serotonin

Hrčak ID:

189038

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/189038

Publication date:

8.11.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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