title: [Biochemistry of schizophrenia and mechanism of action of neuroleptics].
abstract: Among the biochemical theories proposed for schizophrenia the best-founded appears to be the dopaminergic theory. Dopaminergic agonists exacerbate schizophrenic symptoms. Neuroleptics, which are the most effective drugs in schizophrenia, are dopaminergic-blocking agents. Other biochemical disorders have been demonstrated in some cases of schizophrenia but results are not always consonant. The presence of abnormal compounds, i.e. methylated derivatives or phenylethylamine, has often been mentioned. Several disorders of enzymes have also been reported, such as a defect in beta-dopamine hydroxylase or an abnormal activity of the MAO which metabolizes the indolamines and catecholamines. Disorders of the metabolism of noradrenaline and serotonin have also been suggested, mainly on experimental evidence. Other compounds have been incriminated, such as endorphins, gamma-aminobutyric acid, lysine-8 vasopressin or prostaglandins. The action of neuroleptics can be ascribed to dopaminergic respector blockade, as a safe approximation. However, the demonstration of several dopaminergic pathways and of several types of receptors makes the understanding of their mode of action all the more difficult that they interplay with many other neurotransmittors.
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008236:Lypressin / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D012701:Serotonin; D008236:Lypressin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine
vernacular_title: Biochimie de la schizophrénie et mode d'action des neuroleptiques.