The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia. A critical analysis.

The evidence linking dopamine and schizophrenia is reviewed. Surveyed are studies on dopamine metabolites in schizophrenia, the effects of dopamine agonists, antagonists and depletors on schizophrenia and the action of present treatments of schizophrenia on dopamine. As well, the interrelationship of dopaminergic, cholinergic and gabanergic pathways is examined. It is concluded that the relationship between dopaminergic mechanisms and schizophrenia is nonspecific. The dopamine hypothesis is shown to reflect an attitude towards schizophrenia that emphasizes acute, florid symptoms. It is suggested that researche directed towards studying dopaminergic mechanisms in specific psychopathological symtoms, not syndromes, might prove fruitful.