98-99B Psychotic disorders and meds

Question 1

SCZ - criteria

Answer 1

Diagnosis requires 2 or more of the following for > 6 months
(first 4 in this list are “positive symptoms”):
delusions
hallucinations (auditory)
disorganized speech (loose associations)
disorganized/catatonic behavior
Negative sysmtpoms - flat affect, no motivation, no thought/speech

Question 2

Schizophrenia - overview

Answer 2

Chronic mental disorder with periods of
psychosis, disturbed behavior and thought,
and decline in functioning that lasts > 6
months. Associated with increased dopaminergic
activity, decreased dendritic branching (network dysfunction).

Question 3

SCZ cytology findings

Answer 3

No signs of degeneration

Impaired neuronal migration

Volume loss without reduced number of neurons

Changes in interneurons and dendritic spines

Alzheimer’s findings confirmed

Question 4

causes of scz

Answer 4

Genetics (80%) and environment (during neurogenesis) contribute to the
etiology of schizophrenia.
Frequent cannabis use is associated with
psychosis/schizophrenia in teens.

Question 5

blocking of what pathway leads to clinical efficacy in antipsychotics?

Answer 5

dopamine - mesolimbic pathway (from VTA to limbic system); stops hallucinations and