New Trends in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Objectives: This article are to describe current trends in the treatment of schizophrenia and the most interesting new approaches to optimizing outcome and fostering the development of new schizophrenia treatments. Results: Increasing utilization of diverse types of atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs), e.g. clozapine-type serotonin (5-HT)2A and weak dopamine (DA) D2 antagonist, amisulpride, a D2/D3/5-HT7 antagonist, and cariprazine, a D3 partial agonist with additional neurotransmitter targets, is occurring as their advantages in efficacy, especially for cognitive impairment and mood symptoms, and side effects are becoming appreciated. Typical APDs, e.g. haloperidol, are diminishing in favor because of their EPS, especially, tardive dyskinesia (T D) and appreciation that reducing D2 receptor stimulation is not the only means to treat psychosis. Some of the mechanisms inherent in various AAPDs, e.g. 5-HT2A inverse agonism, and D3 receptor partial agonism, are now recognized as effective treatments for psychosis. A new focus on treating the cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) has emerged via mechanisms such as stimulation of acetyldraline receptor with muscarinic and nicotinic receptor agonists, but demonstrating their efficacy in trials is proving elusive. Pharmacogenetic strategies which may lead to personalized treatment of schizophrenia are emerging but have not yet succeeded in being widely reimbursable. Transcranial stimulation and cognitive enhancement therapy are more common but more evidence for their efficacy is needed. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of the various domains of schizophrenia requires a diversity of treatments that are best met by the expert use of AAPDs at the current time. Pharmacogenetic efforts are consistent with new evidence that multiple genes are involved in the risk for schizophrenia and the effectiveness of AAPDs.