The consequences of long-term antipsychotic drug administration on basal ganglia neuronal function in laboratory animals.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have been widely utilized in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders, most prevalently for schizophrenia. In addition to their desired therapeutic effects, repeated administration of APDs often produces various motor side effects. Experimental evidence has implicated alterations in the nuclei of the basal ganglia as the basis for the motor dysfunctions that may arise during APD treatment. Because APDs are invariably administered for extended periods of time, a great deal of research has focused on the effects of prolonged drug exposure. Animal models have been a particularly valuable tool for studying APD effects on basal ganglia function following several weeks (subchronic) to months or years (chronic) of administration. The present paper reviews the scope of studies that have assessed various aspects of basal ganglia function in laboratory animals treated with APDs for prolonged period of time. Possible mechanisms of action are reviewed regarding subchronic and chronic APD effects on basal ganglia function as well as directions for future research.