New antipsychotic medications: do research results relate to clinical practice?

Abstract

A number of new agents to treat schizophrenia have been, or will soon be, introduced that address the limitations of traditional neuroleptics. The new class of atypical neuroleptics promises better efficacy and/or side-effects profiles, leading to improved overall clinical outcomes. However, in order to assess the potential clinical value of these new therapies, it is important not only to study the results of various clinical trials, but also to analyze the methodology and design of the trials themselves. An understanding of the relevant patient-related issues, outcome measures, pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors is necessary to apply the findings of clinical trials to daily clinical practice.