4.5 Drug Therapy

Question 1

How do antipsychotics generally work?

Answer 1

Reduce dopaminergic transmission in areas of brain associated with schizophrenia by:
blocking action of dopamine so reduce hallucinations and delusions

Question 2

What do typical antipsychotics treat?

Answer 2

• proven to treat positive symptoms

Question 3

What do atypical antipsychotics treat?

Answer 3

• proven to treat positive symptoms

- claim to treat negative symptoms and cognitive impairment

Question 4

What percentage of D2 receptors need to be blocked for drugs to work?

Answer 4

between 60% and 75%

Question 5

Why do atypical antipsychotics claim to treat negative symptoms too?

Answer 5

might act as serotonin agonists so increased dopamine released in PFC

Question 6

What are criticisms of drug therapy for schizophrenia?

Answer 6

• antipsychotics side effects affect motor activity
• cost-benefit analysis may be negative
• reinforces something is wrong and reduces motivation to look for other causes

Question 7

What is a criticism found by Crossley et al. of atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 7

no difference found in efficacy but different side effects

Question 8

What is an example of a typical antipsychotic?

Answer 8

Chlorpromazine

Question 9

What is an example of an atypical antipsychotic?

Answer 9

Clozapine

Question 10

What is a side effect of typical antipsychotic?

Answer 10

loss of control of motor activity

Question 11

What is a side effect of atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 11

Cause low white blood cell count

so can’t be given to people with poor immune systems