biological treatment for schizophernia

Question 1

what are the biologcal treatment for sz

Answer 1

typical and atypical antipsychotics

Question 2

example of typical antipsychotic and outline ao1

Answer 2

• typical antipsychotics are the first generation of drugs that were prescribed to treat to sz
• an example is chlorpromazine
  these are dopamine antagonists which reduce dopamine by blocking dopamine receptors on PSC by binding to them but not stimulating these drugs work on reducing positive symptoms such as hallucination and has sedative effect
  In order for it be effective, Kapur et al (2000) estimated that between 60-75% of D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway mus blocked which means a number of D2 receptors in other areas of the brain must be blocked leading to undesireable side - effects

Question 3

example of atypical antipsychotic and outline ao1

Answer 3

second generation of antipsychotics in comparison to first gen lower risk of side effects and are suitable for treatment - resistant
an example if risperidone an clozapine thy also block dopamine receptors but also dissociate from them rapidly to allowing normal dopamine transmission this what leads to less side effects
they also also act on other neurotransmitters eg acetylchloine and seroonin also adresses negative symptoms such as avolition

Question 4

evidence for effectiveness

Answer 4

• Thornley et al 2003
  data from 13 trials with 1121 participants showed that chlorpromazine was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity when compared to placebo

Melzter (2012)
clozapine is more effective that typical antipsychotics and other atypical antipsychotics and it is effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases where typical antipsychotics have failed

Question 5

evaluations postivie

Answer 5

enhanced quality for life
decrease symptoms to allow individuals to engage in other long term effective treatment such as CBT
patients can live independently

Question 6

evaluations negative

Answer 6

• typical antipsychotics
• involuntary muscle movement
  ( tardive dyskinesia )
  atypical - weight gain
  most serious side effect ;
  neuropletic malignant syndrome high temp , coma could be fatal

chemical cosh (moral dilemna )
drugs calm the patients distressed by halluncinations and delusions which allow them to engage in other treatments
however it is believed that these drugs have been used in hospital to calm people with sz down and make it easier fo the staff to work with them
therefore it can be argued that the drug have a dehumanising effect as they take away an individual personal responsibility and control when they may have not consented to treatment