The first drugs to treat schizophrenia, called antipsychotic drugs, caused Parkinson-like symptoms. Why?

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Antipsychotic drugs, particularly the first-generation or typical antipsychotics, work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. The substantia nigra is a region in the brain that plays an important role in movement and is affected in Parkinson's disease due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. By blocking dopamine receptors, antipsychotic drugs can mimic Parkinson-like symptoms, such as tremors and rigidity, because they reduce the action of dopamine, which is essential for normal movement control. This effect is not due to direct damage to neurons in the substantia nigra, but rather the blockade of dopamine receptors which mimics the dopamine deficiency seen in Parkinson's disease.

The First Drugs to Treat Schizophrenia, Called Antipsychotic Drugs, Caused