TRANSLATIONAL MODELS OF DRUG DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

in the treatment of mental illness, it is painfully apparent that there is much

to be done to meet the unmet needs of patients.  Current treatments are not

effective for all patients, do not treat all symptom dimensions of the

illnesses, are not optimal for use as preventative or prophylactic agents and

have unfavorable side effects.  Although the advent of atypical

antipsychotic drugs has broadened the range of MOAs of different antipsychotics

there is a tremendous need for further innovation.  This calls for new

strategies for drug development and the sue of adjunctive regimens for the

treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.  This

presentation will review recent data on the limitations of conventional and

atypical drugs.  It will also examine the actions of these drugs in novel

preclinical paradigms which suggest the potential relevance of unique mechanisms

of action involving modulation of the glutamatergic system and effects on

neurosteroids.  The results have implications for new ways to evaluate the