Biological Therapies: Drug Therapy

Question 1

what a typical anti psychotics?

Answer 1

• dopamine antagonists like chlorpromazine blocks dopamine receptors and normalises transmission
• also works as sedative and has side effects

Question 2

atypical antipsychotics:

what are they?

Answer 2

• aims to reduce symptoms whiteout the side effects of typical drugs

Question 3

atypical antipsychotics:

what is clozapine?

Answer 3

• acts on seratonin receptors as well to enhance mood and recuse symptoms

Question 4

atypical antipsychotics:

what is Risperidone?

Answer 4

• binds to serotonin receptors but used in much smaller does meaning fewer side effects

Question 5

+ evidence for effectiveness

Answer 5

• thornley = chlorpromazine more effective in reducing symptoms than a placebo
• Meltzer = clozapine more effective than typical antipsychotics

Question 6

• serious side effects

Answer 6

• particularly typical AP’s are associated with dizziness, agitation, sleepiness
• been know to effect blood condition, neuroleptic syndrome (deaths in the 70’s)

Question 7

• dependant on the dopamine hypothesis

Answer 7

• antipsychotics tied up with dopamine hypothesis (mixed support)
• not a whole explanation as if we don’t accept dopamine hypothesis, theres no rationale for antipsychotics