A pharmacological model of the pathophysioloyg of schizophrenia.

A pharmacological model of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia based upon receptor site theory has been presented. This model proposes that, like any neuronal function, schizophrenia is triggered by the action of a small molecule at a specific receptor site. This interaction elicits the abnormal behavior. The model permits analysis of all existing theories of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and furthermore makes it possible to view the pathophysiologic implications of these theories. It also mkaes it possible to understand the mechanism of action of neuroleptic agents used in the treatment of schizophrenia, regardless of which theories of pathogenesis are valid.