Novel treatments on the horizon: a glimpse into the newer pharmacological treatments under investigation for the treatment of schizophrenia in pediatric patients

Fewer antipsychotic medications have FDA approval for the treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents. Currently approved medications are based on the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia and constitute limited success, demanding the need for developing newer drugs to target alternate neuronal mechanisms in schizophrenia. The authors bring this timely presentation to discuss the novel psychopharmacological agents that are being investigated and will offer a breakthrough in treatment of adolescents with schizophrenia. The presenters will review the novel molecules and newer medications that are under investigation for treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents. Data extracted from these ongoing clinical trials will be discussed including the clinical trial characteristics and available outcomes. An expert discussion by Janet Wozniak, MD, will follow to share perspective on these upcoming treatment agents. The presentation will include the cutting-edge information about the clinical trials on 13 newer pharmacological agents (6 medications and 7 investigational molecules) under investigation for the treatment of schizophrenia in pediatric patients. Tapan Parikh, MD, will discuss the ongoing phase 2 and phase 3 investigational trials in adolescents with schizophrenia on NaBen, SEP-363856, ALKS 3831, cannabidiol, sulforaphane, intravenous immunoglobulin, and N-methyl-D-aspartate enhancer. Ritvij Satodiya, MD, will present on phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials on brexpiprazole, cariprazine, olanzapine/samidorphan, levetiracetam, valbenazine, and clozapine for treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents. Current treatment for schizophrenia in adolescents is limited and demands a vital need for newer pharmacological agents. This presentation will review the cutting-edge evidence on novel investigational agents and offer insight into the upcoming psychopharmacological evidence for treatment of schizophrenia in pediatric population.