ABSTRACT
There is heterogeneity in clinical features, course of disease and response to therapy. The concept of an underlying neurochemical disorder is advanced by the dopamine theory of schizophrenia, summarized in Box 19.1. The majority of antipsychotics block dopamine receptors in the forebrain. 5-Hydroxytryptamine is also implicated, as indicated in Box 19.2. Glutamine hypoactivity, GABA hypoactivity and α-adrenergic hyperactivity are also potential neurochemical targets.
