Bell Foundation®
Supporting Mental Health Research
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
    • IN THE PRESS
    • FAQ
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SEMINARS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
    • IN THE PRESS
    • FAQ
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SEMINARS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
In Schizophrenia

Newest Schizophrenia Treatment: Third Generation Antipsychotic

Research – Newest Schizophrenia Drugs
Share this story

Say goodbye to negative side effects with this antipsychotic drug.

Antipsychotic drugs are what doctors use for the treatment of the psychotic symptoms of a schizophrenic patient. There are three types of antipsychotic medications, first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation antipsychotics.

First-generation antipsychotics came into the market in 1950. The drugs are also called neuroleptic since they cause neurolepsis. Neurolepsis is an altered state of mind where the patient shows the following symptoms:

  • Decreased anxiety
  • Decreased psychomotor activity
  • Quiescence
  • Indifference to the environment

Some of the original antipsychotic drugs include:

  • Chlorpromazine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Haloperidol
  • Perphenazine

Second-Generation antipsychotics are also known as atypical antipsychotics. They are referred to as atypical antipsychotics because they have a low chance of inducing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Extrapyramidal symptoms, also known as extrapyramidal side effects, are motion-induced disorders. The motion-induced complications can either be sudden or chronic due to long term use of antipsychotic drugs. The disorders include:

  • Tardive dyskinesias – are sudden involuntary movements of body parts like arms, legs or the torso. The disorder causes rapid, brief, discrete movements
  • Dystonic reactions – are involuntary movements that are slow, twisting, and painful. The movements occur in muscles, legs, or arms.

The definition of ‘atypical antipsychotics’ later changed to include its ability to make cognitive functions perform as desired even in patients who have built up a resistance.

Some second-generation drugs include:

  • Asenapine
  • Olanzapine
  • Risperidone
  • Clozapine
  • Cariprazine
Newest psychotropic medication

Recently, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that their new antipsychotic medication, SEP-363856, was granted the designation ‘Break Through Therapy.’ The drug, if approved, will be used to treat schizophrenic adults.

The study

Over four weeks, a study of the drug SEP 361-201 was conducted on 245 patients who were admitted with psychotic episodes of schizophrenia. Some patients were given a 50mg or 75mg dose daily, while others were given a placebo.

The Results

After the four weeks, patients who used the drug showed significant improvement as compared to those taking a placebo. The overall performance of the patients was rated on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).  The scale is used to measure the severity of the schizophrenic symptoms.

Using SEP-363856 not only led to reduced psychosis but also an overall reduction in the severity of the disorder. The comparison of severity is made against the Global-Impression-Severity Score. There was a significant improvement in the secondary outcome of the patients too. There were no cases of extrapyramidal side effects.

It’s worth noting that during the pre-clinical trials of SEP-363856, the drug showed efficacy in the treatment of animal models. There were significant traces of the antipsychotic medication in the serotonin receptors and the amine-associated receptors.

The Mechanism of Action

SEP-363856 works as a dopamine and serotonin agonist. In the human body, dopamine is the hormone responsible for reward-driven behaviour, while serotonin is the feel-good hormone. An agonist works by biding to the receptors and activating the receptor. The existing atypical drugs are dopamine and serotonin antagonists. The agonist nature makes the mechanism of action of SEP-363856 opposite of what currently exists in the market.

For a long time now, the mechanism of action of schizophrenia drugs has been through blocking the dopamine receptors and having a drug that works around that could be a breakthrough.

Parting Shot

The only other drug that doesn’t cause extrapyramidal symptoms that currently exists in the market is Apriprazole. The world is ready for a better medication that makes the lives of people living with schizophrenia be as normal as possible. SEP-363856 is going to give that to people not only by controlling the psychotic symptoms while preventing the negative side effects that come with prolonged use of the drug. It’s safe to say that SEP-363856 if approved by the FDA, will be a third-generation antipsychotic drug.


Share this story

Want our blog delivered directly to your email?

Subscribe
Subscribe to our email list now.
research study schizophrenia
Previous StoryWalking Away from Suicidal Thoughts With 5 Simple Steps
Next Story5 Subtleties You Didn’t Know About Schizophrenia

Related Articles

  • REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder
    REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder and Dementia
  • The State Of Research On Anxiety Treatment
    The State Of Research On Anxiety Treatment

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Archives

  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018

Categories

Tags

antidepressant anxiety bipolar disorder borderline personality disorder cancer children clean eaters coronavirus covid-19 depression early sign eating disorders fatigue guide series help series homeless housing inspiring story lockdown loneliness mental health missing person myth vs fact online therapy panic attack personality disorder postnatal poverty research study schizophrenia sleep problems social skills stroke suicide telehealth telehealth care work from home young adults

WHO WE ARE

  • OUR TEAM
  • PRESS
  • CONTACT
  • FAQ

WHAT WE DO

  • OUR MISSION
  • GET INVOLVED
  • DONATE
  • BLOG

FIND US ELSEWHERE

                   

ACCREDITATION

2021 © The Bell Foundation ABN 67 180 805 426 *All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible. •Sitemap •Refund & Privacy Policy •Accessibility

Subscribe to Email Newsletter

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Bell Foundation® will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.