Schizophrenia and Chronic Psychotic Disorders: Update on Treatment Options and New Trends

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The symptoms complex of schizophrenia consists of positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), affective symptoms, and cognitive deficits, affecting executive functioning. The conventional treatment of schizophrenia primarily focuses on the dopamine system. Modulating the dopaminergic system provides the remedy for the positive symptoms, leaving the negative and cognitive symptoms untreated. This article explores novel targets to develop new compounds. Modulating the inotropic and metabo-tropic glutamate receptors can be a novel target for negative and cognitive symptoms. Similarly, the serotonergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, and trace amines-associated receptors (TAARs) are additional targets. Novel compounds for the treatment of schizophrenia are in various phases of development. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given breakthrough therapy designation to compounds including glycine reupdate inhibitor GlyT 1 BI-425809 and TAAR-1 agonist ulotaront (SEP-363856). Once approved, such novel compounds could effectively cure this illness and improve the patient's quality of life. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(4):155–159.]