Conventional treatment paradigms for
schizophrenia have typically focused on reducing positive symptomatology; however, it is increasingly apparent that negative and
cognitive symptoms are also important treatment targets. Cognitive function, in particular, is known to affect multiple outcome domains, including performance of basic daily activities, and social and occupational functioning. While traditional
antipsychotics have little, or even a detrimental, effect on neurocognitive impairment in patients with
schizophrenia, available data suggest that cognitive function may be improved during treatment with atypical
antipsychotics.
Quetiapine is a novel atypical
antipsychotic with proven efficacy in
schizophrenia across all domains. Results of well-controlled, double-blind, randomised studies show
quetiapine to significantly improve cognitive function compared with treatment with
haloperidol.
Quetiapine has also been shown to be effective and well tolerated in patients particularly vulnerable to the extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) associated with conventional
antipsychotics, making it well suited for use as first-line
therapy.