Biological therapies for schizophrenia

Antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists. They bind to complementary dopamine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane which prevents dopamine from binding. This has an inhibitory effect so there is a lower rate of action potential generation in the postsynaptic membrane and returns neurotransmission to a normal level. There are two types of antipsychotics that treat schizophrenia: typical and atypical.
- Typical antipsychotics: first generation drugs (e.g.chlorpromazine) are calming sedatives that act on histamine receptors as well as dopamine receptors.
- Atypical antipsychotics: second generation drugs to add to the effectiveness of first generation drugs and additionally help to reduce the side effects of the typical drugs. They target other neurotransmitter receptors (e.g.clozapine targets serotonin and glutamate receptors and helps improve cognitive functioning and mood).

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