Neurotransmitter Receptors in Actions of Antipsychotic Medications

Years of extensive investigation into neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and behavioral pharmacology have produced an understanding of antipsychotic medication action that is much more refined than the original dopamine hypothesis. New perspectives offer an array of novel drugs - drugs that pose a lower risk of developing tardive dyskinesia, have fewer extrapyramidal side effects, are less sedating, and attempt to address the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Neurotransmitter Receptors in Actions of Antipsychotic Medications presents a glimpse into the development of these breakthroughs and the field's current status in one definitive volume. The exhaustive chapters cover the basic knowledge of schizophrenic syndromes and provide a general description of available antipsychotic drugs. Leading specialists recount the investigation into a variety of receptors in drug action and present unique topics like endogenous receptor occupation by antipsychotic drugs and regulation of brain receptors. The book also includes a survey of the future perspectives in drug design. Each year, pharmaceutical companies invest billions of dollars in developing hundreds of medications to treat psychiatric disorders. Neurotransmitter Receptors in Actions of Antipsychotic Medications helps you study and appreciate the dynamics of these medications. You will understand the effects on receptors; predict the action, adverse side effects, and drug-drug interactions; and improve the modern antipsychotic medications that already enable people coping with schizophrenia to work, have meaningful social relationships, and live more productive lives.