Course Director:

Stephen R. Marder

The introduction of a new generation of antipsychotics has improved the quality of the lives of most patients with schizophrenia. However, patients and their clinicians have also become increasingly aware of the limitations of these agents. The promise that these agents would lead to substantial improvements in positive and negative symptoms has only been partially met. A substantial proportion of individuals with schizophrenia are only partially responsive to newer drugs and patients who respond well acutely may continue to demonstrate deficits in social and vocational functioning. In addition, second generation (or atypical) antipsychotics are often associated with serious adverse effects such as weight gain, sedation, prolactin elevation, hyperlipidemias, cardiac conduction disturbances, and, in some cases, extrapyramidal side effects. These limitations have inspired a search for new and innovative approaches for further improving pharmacotherapy.

This course will inform clinicians about our current understanding of the mechanism of action of second generation antipsychotics as well as approaches for developing new agents. It will also provide an update on research that focuses on both the effectiveness and side effects of both newer and older antipsychotics.

Participants in this course will learn from national experts who are leaders in the development of new psychosis treatment methods. The lectures will offer unique opportunities to interact on-line, and discuss clinical challenges over the Internet.