They did this by using an experimental drug called ABT 431 - a treatment that is not yet available for humans. By stimulating D1 receptors, the medication might also prove useful to people with other conditions characterised by low dopamine levels, such as Parkinson's disease, or memory loss related to ageing. In these diseases, long-term treatment often becomes part of the problem because of unwanted side effects. The Yale scientists trained monkeys to become skilled at memory tasks. That means being open about the sometimes devastating side effects of the older drug treatments and ending the rationing of the newer drugs that have been shown, in many cases, to have fewer and less severe side effects.
Drugs designed to offset side effects from the main drug treatments can only be a stop-gap answer.
There is also a real need to invest in the breadth of care and treatment needed to support people with severe mental illness. The research is published in the magazine Science. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Links to other Health stories are at the foot of the page.