biological treatments for schizophrenia Flashcards
(5 cards)
typical antipsychotics
example : chlorpromazine
- initially doses are small but increased to 400-800mg
- strong association between antipsychotics and the dopamine hypothesis .
- they work by being dopamine antagonists
-block dopamine receptors in synapses preventing action of dopamine
-initially the dopamine levels increase but they eventually drop
- normalises neurotransmission in key areas of brain and reduces positive symptoms
- they also have a sedative quality this is related to its effect on histamine receptors this is used to calm patients even if they dont have SZ
atypical antipsychotics
example : clozapine
- newer more effective drugs in reducing the symptoms of psychosis and side effects
-used as a treatment to use when others fail
- potentially fatal side effects so patients have to be blood tested regularly
- not only blocks and binds to dopamine receptors but blocks serotonin and glutamate receptors
- mood enhancing effects mean that it is effective at treating people who are at high risk of suicide this is important bc 30-50% of SZ patients attempt suicide at some point
atypical antipsychotics (r)
risperidone
- without serious side effects
-smaller does than typical (4-8mg)
-binds more strongly to dopamine than clo
evaluation negatives
- side effects can be serious
typical antipsychotics- dizziness, weight gain, agitation, itchy skin and stiff jaw
tardive dyskinesia- dopamine supersensitivity, causing involuntary movement
neuroleptic malignant syndrome- occurs when the drug blocks the dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus can be fatal and cause people to go into a coma - mechanism of them unclear, strongly follow original dh but challenge the idea that DA is too high in some areas of the brain if this is true most shouldnt work
evaluation positives
+ Thornley reviwed studies comparing typical and atypical APs from 13 trails (meta analysis)
