What Do Neuroleptics Really Do? A Drug-Centred Account

Abstract

In contrast to the disease-centred model, the drug-centred model of drug action provides aframework within which to explore the full range of adrug’sactions. In this chapter Iwill examine the evidence for what sorts of effects neuroleptic drugs induce, concentrating on their effects on mental function and brain state over the short and long term. Instead of measuring these effects in terms of the symptoms of a presumed disease state, and regarding other effects as incidental and unimportant, Iwill, following adrug-centred model tryand develop a picture of their global action. Then we can assess whether they have any utility for people suffering from psychiatric disorders, especially those diagnosed as having psychosis or schizophrenia.