The authors reviewed relevant studies in an attempt to define the onset
and time course of antipsychotic effects of neuroleptic drugs. After
excluding open trials, studies of chronically psychotic patients, and
studies not using a placebo or nonneuroleptic sedative as a control, they
found only five reports suitable for analysis. Among these, the degree of
patients' improvement during neuroleptic treatment was similar regardless
of the duration of the study. Also, in studies comparing neuroleptics with
sedatives, similar improvement was observed with both treatments. Although
neuroleptic drugs have been used clinically for 35 years, the timing of
their specific therapeutic effects remains unclear.Abstract Teaser