Methods Of Modifying Behavious Antipsychotics Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are antipsychotics
Drugs that are used to reduce severity of symptoms particularly positive symptoms
How do antipsychotics work?
These work by affecting the process of neurotransmission
What are the two types
Atypical (works on other NT’s)
Typical (dopamine antagonist)
How do neurotransmitters diffuse across?
NT’s diffuse out of the synaptic cleft or go through reuptake to be recycled and reused by the presynaptic neuron or they can be broken down by enzymes in the synaptic cleft and the components sent back to the presynaptic neuron to make more neurotransmitters.
How do antipsychotics work?
The antipsychotic blocks access to the receptor for dopamine
How do typical antipsychotics work?
Tight affinity for D2 receptors
Block dopamine by binding to receptor sites for a long period of time
Reduces activity of the post-synaptic neuron
How do atypical antipsychotics work?
Weaker affinity for D2 receptors
Allows dopamine to bind but at a slower rate
Also binds to serotonin receptors to decrease amount of serotonin in the mesocortical pathway
5HT2A receptor blockage
How does chloropromazine work?
(Typical example)
Blocks dopamine receptors
Clozapine interrupts the transmission of NT’s that are thought to cause SZ
How does risperidone work?
(Atypical example)
Affects the chemical messengers in your brain
Applying explanations to methods of modifying
Dopamine hypothesis = antidepressants
If we know that high /low levels of dopamine in different areas of the brain could be responsible for the symptoms of schizophrenia, then we can develop drugs to target this.
Antipsychotics are drugs developed to treat disorders like SZ, by targeting the release of neurotransmitters at the synapses.
Typical antipsychotics were developed based on the dopamine hypothesis and work by blocking the transmission of dopamine on the postsynaptic neuron-which leads to a reduction in positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
