Anti psychotics

Question 1

Describe dopamine theory in schizophrenia

Answer 1

• Amphetamine produces symptoms almost indistinguishable from schizophrenia
• D2 receptor agonists produce similar symptoms in animals and exacerbate symptoms in humans
• Strong correlation between clinical potency of antipsychotics and D2 blocking action
• Increased dopamine content in restricted area of the temporal lobe of schizophrenics
• Increased dopamine synthesis and release in the striatum in schizophrenics

Question 2

Describe glutamate theory

Answer 2

• NMDA receptor antagonists produced psychotic symptoms
• Decreased glutamate and receptor density reported in post mortem schizophrenic Brains
• Transgenic mice with reduced NMDA receptor expression show stereotypic schizophrenic behaviours and decreased social interactions
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