anti-psychotics

Question 1

who is affected by schizophenia, when do symptoms onset and life expectancy

Answer 1

approx. 1% of population (higher in ethnic minority immigrants) and has genetic and environmental influences, with symptoms between 15-35 years and life expectancy approx 20-30 years lower than average (due to lifestyle choices)

Question 2

2 pathways in schizophrenia

Answer 2

increased activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, decreased activity of mesocortical dopaminergic pathway

Question 3

what are positive symptoms of schizophrenia due to increased activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway

Answer 3

hallucinations (auditory and visual), delusions (paranoia), thought disorder (denial about oneself)

Question 4

what are negative symptoms of schizophrenia due to decreased activity of mesocortical dopaminergic pathway

Answer 4

affective flattening (lack of emotion), alogia (lack of speech), avolition or apathy (loss of motivation)

Question 5

what symptoms do pharmacological drugs target for Schizophrenia

Answer 5

positive symptoms due to increased activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway