Extrapyramidal Side-Effects in Antipsychotic Drug Therapeutics

The project is aimed at addressing the fundamental issue in antipsychotic therapeutics -the balance between mental state benefits and neurological risks.The latter cannot be overestimated and clinical skills in themselves are inadequately sensitive to refine practice. With all current and "pipeline" antipsychotics based on central dopamine blockade, there is little prospect that therapeutics can be improved by advances in pharmacology alone. The project uses, for the first time, technology that is not only simple, real-life and user-friendly but "modern" and socially held in high regards. The proposal depends on patients receiving antipsychotic medication where clinically indicated. At all times, subjects will receive clinically-indicated therapy. The major ethical issue will relate to the issue of informed consent in those suffering from major psychiatric disorder. This is a routine consideration in psychiatric practice and the investigators will seek guidance on this from the Consultant Psychiatrist responsible for potential participants and would not proceed with initial approaches in cases of doubt or absence of capacity. This is a pilot/feasibility study with no intention to utilise the data for commercialisation of the device or to expand the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking.