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Moving Beyond the Dopamine Hypothesis: An Overview of Emerging Treatment Options in Schizophrenia

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Activity Dates: 04/24/2022 - 04/24/2025

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Session Time and Location

The live session is complete.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Session Summary

Schizophrenia is often a lifelong condition that begins in early adulthood and is associated with significant adverse outcomes. Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, numerous antipsychotics are available for initial and maintenance therapy, with the goal of controlling symptoms. However, these medications work mainly by modulating dopamine and are poorly suited to address negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction related to schizophrenia. For many patients, this results in debilitating residual symptoms, difficulties with adherence, and occasional medication-related adverse effects. In addition, there is a subset of patients who are considered to have ultra-treatment-resistant schizophrenia and have minimal or no response to clozapine, the most effective antipsychotic. To address these gaps in therapy, new research combined with an increased understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia is leading to the development of novel agents that focus on negative symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, adherence, antipsychotic adverse effect profiles, and treatment-resistant schizophrenia. A number of medications currently under study have novel mechanisms of action. These new treatment strategies include modulators of serotonin and glutamate, agonists of TAAR-1, antagonists of σ-2, and muscarinic receptor agonists. There are also new dosage forms that aid in adherence. With the increasing number of treatment modalities on the horizon, this session is designed to provide evidence around these novel treatments including how they work and their potential role in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Upon successful completion, ACPE credit is reported within 24 hours to CPE Monitor although transcripts can be retrieved by participants online in their ACPE Transcript.

Faculty Information

Austin R. Campbell, PharmD, BCPP

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Learning Objectives

  1. Evaluate the efficacy and/or safety of emerging non-dopaminergic treatment modalities for schizophrenia.
  2. Determine which patients with schizophrenia are the best candidates for treatment with non-dopaminergic medications based on their symptoms, comorbidities, and/or medication histories.
  3. Formulate a treatment plan for a patient with schizophrenia using new and emerging non-dopaminergic medications.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 04/24/2022 - 04/24/2025
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-22-032-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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