Treating Schizophrenia - Biological Theraphy

Question 1

What are typical antipsychotics?

Answer 1

• Chlorpromazine
  Reduce dopamine levels
  Block dopamine receptors
  Reduce positive symptoms

Question 2

What an atypical drugs?

Answer 2

Clozapine
Newer drug therapy
Causes 1% of people to develop a rare blood disease so must get regular blood tests
Bloch serotonin, glutamate and dopamine receptors
Reduce negative symptoms

Question 3

Strength of drugs to treat Sz (support)

Answer 3

Compared chlorpromazine to control
Found chlorpromazine is associated with better functioning compared to placebo

Question 4

Limitation of drugs to treat sz ( short term)

Answer 4

Has an exaggerated evidence base - studies have been published multiple times
Have powerful calming effect so easily snow they have an effect - but may only have an effect in the moment and doesn’t actually reduce severity

Question 5

Limitation of drugs to treat Sz (side effects )

Answer 5

Typical antipsychotics cause dizziness, weight gain, insomnia
Long term can lead to tardive dyskinesia ( involuntary movement) and neuroleptic malignant syndrome(can be fatal)
May cause additional problems

Question 6

Limitation of drugs to treat sz( economy)

Answer 6

More people Off work

Question 7

Limitation of drugs to treat sz (don’t know why)

Answer 7

Don’t know how they work
Original hypothesis says high dopamine
Antipsychotics are based on this (typical)
Hypothesis has been updated so don’t know why they work