title: Drug and psychosocial therapy in schizophrenia: current status and research needs.
abstract: The author assesses the current status of research on psychopharmacological and psychosocial interventions with schizophrenic patients. Among the issues discussed are the needs to validate the diagnosis of schizoprenia; to reduce sample heterogeneity by defining subgroups based on meaningful response to drug treatment, long-term course, family history, neurologic soft signs, etc.; to characterize the subgroup of patients who do not respond to or do not require neuroleptic treatment; to determine the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia on a national and regional basis; to use blood levels of neuroleptic drugs as indices of whether individual patients are receiving adequate dosages; to investigate further the question of drug compliance and optimal duration of maintenance therapy; and finally to demonstrate how drug treatment and social skills training interact with each other.
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012917:Social Adjustment
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents