A01

• Antipsychotic drugs are the most common biological treatment for schizophrenia, and can be divided into typical and atypical.

  Typical antipsychotics were first developed in the 50s, such as chlorpromazine. Typical antipsychotics act as a dopamine antagonist, reducing the action of dopamine by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapses. This links to the dopamine hypothesis, as it normalises neurotransmissions in key brain areas, thereby reducing symptoms like hallucinations. 
• Atypical antipsychotics have been used since the 70s and were originally developed in response to the side-effects experienced from typical antipsychotics as well as targeting additional symptoms. An example is Clozapine, which is another dopamine antagonist, but targets serotonin and glutamate receptors too. It helps improve mood, reduce depression and anxiety and may improve cognitive functioning. This is important as Clozapine can be prescribed to people who are at a high risk of suicide, which occurs in 30-50% of people with schizophrenia.
• Risperidone is another atypical antipsychotic, which works similar to Clozapine but binds more strongly to dopamine receptors, which is believed to lead to fewer side effects.