Schizophrenia: Biological Therapies: Drug Treatment

Question 1

What is the most common treatment for schizophrenia

Answer 1

• involves the use of antipsychotic drugs (drugs used to reduce intensity of symptoms)
• can be taken as a tablet or in syrup form
• can be divided into typical (traditional) and new near atypical drugs

Question 2

What are ‘typical antipsychotics’

Answer 2

• the first generation of antipsychotic drugs, having been used since the 1950’s. They work as dopamine antagonists (chemicals which reduce action of a neurotransmitter) and include chlorpromazine (an effective sedative)
• dopamine antagonists work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain

Question 3

What are ‘atypical antipsychotics’

Answer 3

• drugs for schizphrenia (a psychotic disorder) developed after typical antipsychotics
• typically target a range of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin
• examples: clozapine and risperidone

Question 4

Outline ‘clozapine’ as an atypical antipsychotic

Answer 4

• for sale in the 1980s when it was discovered to be more effective than typical antipsychotics
• a treatment for schizophrenia to be used when all other treatments failed
• binds to dopamine receptors but also serotonin and glutamate receptors - it is belived this improves mood and reduces depression+ anxiety. Mood enhancer so often prescribed when a person is at risk of suicide

Question 5

Outline ‘risperidone’ as an atypical antipsychotic

Answer 5

• more recently developed atypical antipsychotic
• developed in an attempt to produce a drug as effective as clozapine but without such side effects
• binds much more strongly to serotonin receptors than clozapine and so is more effective in smaller doses

Question 6

Outline the three evaluation points for drug therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia

Answer 6

• evidence for effectiveness
• serious side effects
• chemical cosh argument

Question 7

Outline ‘evidence for effectiveness’ as an evaluation point for drug therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia

Answer 7

• evidence to suggest typical+ atypical antipsychotics are at least somewhat effective at tackling symptoms
• research has found clozapine is more effective tat typical antipsychotics and that is is effective in 30-50% treatment resistant cases where other treatments have failed

Question 8

Outline ‘- serious side effects’ as an evaluation point for drug therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia

Answer 8

• ranges from mild to serious and even fatal
• typical antipsychotics are associated with dizziness, agitation , itchy skin etc
• the most serious side effect of typical antipsychotics is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (results in high temps, comas, can be fatal)

Question 9

Outline ‘- serious side effects’ as an evaluation point for drug therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia