8. Antipsychotics

What is it about?

Also known as neuroleptics, anti-schizophrenic and major tranquillizers, antipsychotics are drugs that selectively modify the central nervous system in order to treat psychotic syndromes, i.e. mental disorders of unknown or idiopathic origin. Among psychotic illness, schizophrenia is one of the most severe disorders due to its chronic and disabling characteristics. It is estimated to affect about 1 % of the population, with a high rate of suicide: 10 to 20 times more likely than in the general population. Studies have proved that neuroleptic medication can be used to manage this psychosis due to the drug binding to brain receptors instead of, or in addition to D2 and 5HT2A, including α-1-adrenergic, α-2-adrenergic, dopamine D3, histamine H1, muscarinic, and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2C and 5-HT6 receptors. However these bindings are not always related to therapeutic effect. Also they may lead to several adverse effects. This chapter highlights the structural-activity relationship of different classes of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs and provides some considerations concerning new treatment research.

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