Question

The site of anti-psychotic action in neuroleptics seems to be the mesolimbic pathway. Positive symptoms are the result of an overactivity in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. The first-generation antipsychotics are D2 antagonists. As a result, they reduce:_________.

Answer 1

The correct answer is dopaminergic neurotransmission in the four dopamine pathways.

Antipsychotics are divided into conventional antipsychotics and 2nd generation antipsychotics (SGA), based on their activity and affinity with specific neurotransmitter receptors. ESGs may offer some advantages, both in terms of slightly greater effectiveness (although recent evidence calls into question the advantage of ESG as a class) and in terms of less likelihood of involuntary movement disorders and related adverse effects. Currently, SGAs comprise about 95% of antipsychotics prescribed in the USA. However, the risk of metabolic syndrome (excess abdominal fat, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension) is greater with SGA than with conventional antipsychotics. Various antipsychotics from both classes can cause long QT syndrome and essentially increase the risk of fatal arrhythmias