Cognitive Function, Negative Symptoms, Quality Of Life.

The treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia and the ability of new and atypical antipsychotic drugs Like clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine to improve some cognitive functions and quality of life are a matter of major interest. The main purpose of antipsychotic treatment is no longer exclusively to control positive symptoms but also to enhance social functioning. This paper reviews the recent findings on the ability of clozapine and related antipsychotics to achieve a therapeutic effect on primary negative symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction. In a health service with decreasing resources, the difference between newer and atypical antipsychotics and conventional drugs may be essential for maintaining efficient treatment prophylaxis in schizophrenic patients.