Drug info - A New Type of Neuroleptic

[Piglet]

Neuroleptic drugs are something I keep 1/2 an eye on because I had a friend of 19 years who developed schizophrenia and is even now in a secure unit. Traditional neuroleptics work by blocking the action of dopamine (and sometimes serotonin as well) in the brain. Anyone familiar with this class of medication will know of the many and often serious (sometimes fatal) side-effects.
Finally we see something new. a medication which works not on the dopamine pathway but rather on the glutamate receptors. The chemical itself is totally new as well, essentially an amino-acid:



(-)-(1R,4S,5S,6S)-4-amino-2-sulfonylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid

Early studies found it at least as effective as olanzapine and it did not cause prolactin elevation, extrapyramidal symptoms or weight gain like current treatments. It is still in the research phase, but we may be seeing the advance-guard of a greatly improved outlook for people in need of such medication.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Great post!
	Great post, and important stuff.