Schizophrenia Flashcards
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Symptoms of schizophrenia include positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Negative symptoms such as avolition and social withdrawal.
And cognitive symptoms such as disorganized thinking and difficulties with memory and attention.
What are the main hypotheses proposed to underlie schizophrenia?
The main hypotheses proposed to underlie schizophrenia include:
The dopamine hypothesis, which suggests that an overactive dopaminergic system is involved.
And the glutamate hypothesis, which implicates dysfunction in the glutamatergic system.
Other hypotheses include abnormalities in GABAergic and cholinergic systems.
What are the changes in the brain neurochemistry underlying schizophrenia?
Changes in the brain neurochemistry underlying schizophrenia include alterations in dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and acetylcholine neurotransmitter systems. These changes may lead to abnormal neural circuitry and impaired brain function.
What is the mechanism of action of ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ anti-psychotic drugs?
‘Typical’ antipsychotic drugs work by blocking dopamine D2 receptors, leading to a reduction in positive symptoms. ‘Atypical’ antipsychotic drugs also block dopamine D2 receptors, but have a higher affinity for serotonin receptors and may improve negative and cognitive symptoms.
What are the main possible side-effects of current drug treatment for schizophrenia?
The main possible side-effects of current drug treatment for schizophrenia include extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as akathisia and tardive dyskinesia, weight gain and metabolic disturbances, and cardiovascular side effects such as prolonged QT interval and arrhythmias.
What is the dopaminergic system?
The dopaminergic system is a neurotransmitter system that is involved in reward, motivation, movement, and attention. It is composed of dopaminergic neurons that project from the midbrain to various regions of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and limbic system.
What are the functions of the glutamatergic system?
The glutamatergic system is a neurotransmitter system that is involved in many functions in the brain, including synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and cognition. It is the main excitatory neurotransmitter system in the brain and is widely distributed throughout the brain.
What is the cholinergic system?
The cholinergic system is a neurotransmitter system that uses acetylcholine (ACh) as its neurotransmitter. It is involved in many functions in the brain, including attention, memory, learning, and arousal. It is widely distributed throughout the brain, with particularly high concentrations in the basal forebrain and brainstem.
What are the dopamine receptors?
There are five dopamine receptors, referred to as D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. They are all G protein-coupled receptors that modulate intracellular signaling pathways when activated by dopamine.
What are the major types of glutamate receptors?
The major types of glutamate receptors are AMPA receptors, NMDA receptors, and kainate receptors. They are all ionotropic receptors that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain.
What are the major types of glutamate receptors?
The major types of glutamate receptors are AMPA receptors, NMDA receptors, and kainate receptors. They are all ionotropic receptors that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain.
What are the cholinergic receptors?
There are two main types of cholinergic receptors, referred to as nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by nicotine, while muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that are activated by muscarine.
What are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)?
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are a group of motor side effects that can occur with antipsychotic medications. These symptoms can include muscle rigidity, tremors, akathisia, and dystonia.
What is akathisia?
Akathisia is a movement disorder that can occur as a side effect of some antipsychotic medications. It is characterized by an inability to sit still or remain motionless, and can manifest as restlessness, fidgeting, pacing, or other similar behaviors.
What is dyskinesia?
Dyskinesia is a movement disorder that can occur as a side effect of some medications, including antipsychotics. It is characterized by involuntary, abnormal movements, such as twitching, jerking, or writhing.
