INCORPORATING NOVEL MUSCARINIC AGENTS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA INTO CLINICAL PRACTICE: OVERCOMING CLINICAL INERTIA

This symposium highlights muscarinic antipsychotic therapies for schizophrenia, placing in focus their non -dopaminergic mechanism of action. Topics include the emerging scientific evidence and clinical trial data supporting muscarinic receptor modulation and its role in symptom management. Practical considerations for clinical adoption are also on tap, including how to identify appropriate patients, transition from D2 receptor–blocking agents, and approach titration. Attention then turns to recognizing and managing adverse effects associated with this class. On the whole, this session focuses on translating the latest evidence into practical strategies that can help clinicians confidently integrate these therapies into individualized care for patients with schizophrenia.

Learning Objective 1: Compare muscarinic and dopaminergic pathophysiology and therapeutic mechanisms of action in schizophrenia

Learning Objective 2: Evaluate clinical limitations of D2 receptor –blocking agents in support of muscarinic therapy adoption for patients with schizophrenia

References

Schneider-Thoma J, Zhu Y, Qin M, Dong Y, Guan S, Wang J, Tian J, Lin X, Rodolico A, Siafis S, Bighelli I, Wehner M, Veith C, Krayer F, Scheuring E, Davis JM, Priller J, Nikolakopoulou A, Salanti G, Li C, Leucht S. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of antidopaminergic and muscarinic antipsychotics for acute schizophrenia: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials indexed in international English and Chinese databases. Lancet. 2026 Feb 28;407(10531):876 -891. doi: 10.1016/S0140 -