title: An un-dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.
abstract: The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is examined critically. Although the hypothesis is couched in chemical terms, the evidence is primarily pharmacologic. In addition, neuroleptic mechanisms do not fit a simple hyperdopaminergic formulation, and treatment efficacy points to a general psychotic rather than specific schizophrenic role for dopamine. Most compromising to the hypothesis is the therapeutic action of L-dopa when combined with neuroleptics in chronic schizophrenics. Dopamine appears important but cannot be viewed as a simple pathogen.
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D007980:Levodopa; D004298:Dopamine