Final answer:
Typical antipsychotics work primarily by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which is effective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia related to overactive dopamine neurotransmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanism of action of typical antipsychotics, often referred to by their '-azine' suffix, is to block dopamine receptors. These drugs are known as dopamine antagonists because they bind to dopamine receptors but do not activate them, thus preventing dopamine from signaling information to adjacent neurons. This mechanism is essential for reducing symptoms of schizophrenia which are associated with overactive dopamine neurotransmission. Additionally, while some antipsychotics have been found to also block other types of receptors, such as serotonin type 2, alpha adrenergic, and histaminergic H1 receptors, their primary action is on dopamine receptors.