Alpert M, Friedhoff A J
Schizophr Bull. 1980;6(3):387-9. doi: 10.1093/schbul/6.3.387.
The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is examined critically. Although the hypothesis is couched in chemical terms, the evidence is primarily pharmacologic. In addition, neuroleptic mechanisms do not fit a simple hyperdopaminergic formulation, and treatment efficacy points to a general psychotic rather than specific schizophrenic role for dopamine. Most compromising to the hypothesis is the therapeutic action of L-dopa when combined with neuroleptics in chronic schizophrenics. Dopamine appears important but cannot be viewed as a simple pathogen.
