title: Schizophrenia: a review of neuropharmacology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The last few decades have seen significant advances in our understanding of the neurochemical basis of schizophrenia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the neurotransmitter systems and nerve circuits implicated in schizophrenia; to compare the neuropharmacology of typical and atypical anti-psychotic agents; and to describe recent developments in the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant pharmacological, neurophysiological and psychiatric literature was examined and reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Schizophrenia is associated with abnormalities of multiple neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate. Typical and atypical antipsychotic agents differ in their receptor-binding affinities, which are related to their differing side-effect profiles. Novel therapeutic strategies include normalisation of synaptic dopamine or serotonin levels, serotonin receptor antagonism and modulation of cerebral protein synthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ideal treatment for schizophrenia may not be a single pharmacological agent but several agents that match the different expressions of the illness, in combination with psycho-social interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research, St Vincent's University Hospital/University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyne
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009480:Neuropharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin