LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENICS WITH TYPICAL NEUROLEPTICS - A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

It is well documented that neuroleptics acting on dopamine receptors i nduce suppression of reward-directed behaviors in animals (1). Since t he need for reward and pleasure is evidently also a powerful determina nt of human behavior, it is suggested that compulsory treatment of sch izophrenics in remission with anhedonic neuroleptics should be regarde d as a crime against humanity, comparable with the scientifically appr oved use of frontal lobotomy in the management of poor psychotics befo re the advent of neuroleptics.