Schizophrenia has been likened to the 'cancer of mental health' due to the severe domestic and global burden of morbidity and mortality that it imposes. The side effect profile of antipsychotic treatments---as well as high rates of treatment non-adherence due to functional impairment from the disease, and other factors---is a barrier to improved clinical outcome for many individuals with schizophrenia. Familiar routes of drug delivery that capitalize on existing habitual behaviors -- such as the high prevalence of nicotine dependence in this population (78-88% in schizophrenia vs 22.5% the general population - may offer a unique approach to improving treatment adherence in this population. In this project, the technical feasibility of therapeutically delivering an antipsychotic medication by inhalation was explored and assessed.

These studies demonstrate the technical feasibility of administering a clinically relevant antipsychotic drug via electronic-cigarettes, opening new avenues to increase patient adherence and improve clinical outcomes.