The history of the psychopharmacology of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE To review the historical development of the psychopharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. METHOD A chronological literature review of the clinical practices and theoretical models that have controlled drug treatment of schizophrenia at different times. RESULTS Effective treatment of schizophrenia was achieved only after the introduction of antipsychotic drugs, in the 1950s, and is still progressing. CONCLUSION Close collaboration between basic neuroscience and careful and informed clinical practice are likely to lead to continued progress.