New Atypical Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Depression

Abstract

Schizophrenia and depression are heterogeneous disorders. The complex pathomechanism of the diseases imply that medication responses vary across patients. Many psychotropic drugs are available but achieving optimal therapeutic effect can be challenging. The evidence correlates well with clinical observations, suggesting that new atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective against negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as against affective symptoms observed in depression. The purpose of this review presents the background and evidence for the use of the new second/third-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, cariprazine, lurasidone, asenapine, brexpiprazole, lumateperone, pimavanserin) in treatment of schizophrenia and depression. We have first provided a brief overview of the major neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia and depression. We then shortly discuss efficacy, safety and limitations of ongoing pharmacotherapy used in depression and schizophrenia. Mainly, we have focused this review on the therapeutic potential of new atypical antipsychotic drugs—currently existing—to be effective in psychotic, as well as in affective disorders.

Novel Multimodal Salicylamide Derivative with Antidepressant-like, Anxiolytic-like, Antipsychotic-like, and Anti-Amnesic Activity in Mice

“…However, radioligand binding studies have shown no affinity of JJGW07 for 5-HT 6 receptors, suggesting that other biological targets are involved in its pharmacological effects. Importantly, the memory-enhancing activity is not only dependent on the modulation of 5-HT 6 receptors, as there are other antipsychotics, i.e., aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, or cariprazine, that show procognitive properties due to other mechanisms, including interactions with the 5-HT 1A and/or 5-HT 7 receptors [ 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT2AR) Agonists: Psychedelics and Non-Hallucinogenic Analogues as Emerging Antidepressants

“…However, the role 5-HT 2A R antagonism plays in rescuing negative symptoms and cognitive deficits may be less critical . While some atypical antipsychotics with 5-HT 2A R antagonism/inverse agonism have shown adjunct therapeutic benefits for depression, , these drugs are polypharmacological compounds, making it difficult to interpret the specific role of 5-HT 2A R antagonism in their overall therapeutic effects. Recent evidence from clinical trials with psychedelics has shown that the activation of 5-HT 2A R holds promise for the discovery of novel antidepressants.…”

Oral antipsychotic medication use in children and adolescents in Japan between 2013 and 2021

“…Against this background, a number of studies of clinical practice in antipsychotics prescription in children and adolescents have been reported from many countries -primarily Europe [6][7][8][9][10][11], with a few from other countries also, including Japan [12][13][14][15]. Of note, however, all these previous studies evaluated the period prior to 2018, and may not have fully covered the new antipsychotics released onto the market in recent decades, including brexpiprazole and lurasidone hydrochloride [16][17][18]. Additionally, stress and similar effects arising from the coronavirus pandemic are reported to have affected the prevalence of mental illness and antipsychotic treatment [19][20][21].…”