Atypical neuroleptics: their contribution to the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients

Abstract

SummaryTherapeutic effects of neuroleptics (NLP) in schizophrenia are well established in numerous international studies. Varying modalities of evolution under NLP treatment are described and require a clinical analysis. Neuroleptics are a necessary but insufficient condition for the therapy of schizophrenia. Via NLP treatment, other therapeutic approaches, such as psychotherapy, or sociotherapy become more effective. Consecutively, we present the effects of two compounds with dopaminergic selective activity (amisulpride, remoxipride) and of two other compounds with non-selective activity (risperidone, clozapine) regarding rehabilitation in schizophrenic patients. Data were collected from international studies with a medico-economic perspective and from French experience of clozapine in refractory schizophrenic patients. All these data stress the importance of several areas of study: clinical features, everyday life consequences and therapeutical effects observed with the atypical neuroleptics.