Neuroleptics

Neuroleptics, a group of medicinal preparations, mostly suppress emotional and behavioral reactions without altering consciousness. Their main function is to suppress mental disorders like delusions and hallucinations. Currently, neuroleptics are divided into several classes based on chemical structure: phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, tricyclic neuroleptics, butyrophenones, diphenylbutylpiperidines, sulfanilbenzamines, indole and carboline derivatives, rauwolfia alkaloids, and their synthetic analogs.

Clinical data identify several types of effects caused by neuroleptics. These include a sedative effect and an antipsychotic effect, which suppresses delusions and hallucinations. Neuroleptics also influence synaptic and autonomic reactions, including lowering arterial blood pressure, affecting respiratory rate and depth, decreasing body temperature, and impacting the extrapyramidal system, manifesting as symptoms of parkinsonism. When used for a long time, certain neuroleptics have a stimulating effect.

Neuroleptics often act on dopaminergic transmission by inhibiting postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the striatum. They also affect other frontal brain structures and inhibit receptors in the substantia nigra, releasing it from the inhibitory effect of the black substance. These medications enhance functions of the striatum, reduce emotional and motor activity, and strengthen control over the cortex and other psychophysiological reactions. Neuroleptics have minimal effects on other neurotransmitter systems.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė