Final answer:
Traditional antipsychotic drugs work mainly by blocking D2 dopamine receptors to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with chlorpromazine being a classic example. Risperidone, a newer antipsychotic, blocks multiple neurotransmitter receptors. These medications not only alleviate psychotic symptoms but also help reduce aggression and improve sociability in patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional antipsychotic medications primarily act by antagonizing, or blocking, the D2 dopamine receptors, thus reducing symptoms of schizophrenia which are associated with overactive dopamine neurotransmission. These drugs prevent dopamine released by one neuron from signaling information to adjacent neurons, thereby managing psychotic conditions effectively. Some well-known traditional antipsychotics include the phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, which also have other clinical uses like antiemetic and antihistaminic effects. Additionally, Risperidone (Risperdal), a newer addition in 1994, targets both D2 and serotonin receptors, including a variety of adrenergic and histamine receptors.
Traditional antipsychotics not only help in managing hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought processes but also reduce aggressive and impulsive behavior. Over time, these antipsychotic drugs result in decreased agitation and restlessness, and improved communication in withdrawn patients. While they have been the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new classes of antipsychotics with varied mechanisms of action have since been developed.