Antipsychotic Drug Therapy

Question 1

Drug Therapy for SZ

Answer 1

• Involves use of antipsychotic medication to reduce symptoms
• Can be taken as tablets, syrup, or injections
• Help patient to function as well as possible whilst increasing feelings of subjective wellbeing
• Reduce dopaminergic transmission

Question 2

Typical (traditional) Antipsychotics

Answer 2

• eg. Chlorpromazine
• Bad side effects - eg. weight gain, tardive dyskinesia
• Doesn’t just affect Mesolimbic Pathway

Question 3

Atypical (newer) Antipsychotics

Answer 3

• eg. Clozapine
• Side effects last less
• Reduce anxiety & depression - helps with suicide rates, which are high among schizophrenics

Question 4

Typical antipsychotics in Synaptic Transmission

Answer 4

• Dopamine antagonists - bind to, and so block, dopamine receptors, but don’t stimulate
• Initially, dopamine levels build up, but then production is reduced - normalises neurotransmission in key areas of the brain by reducing stimulation of the dopamine system
• Reduces positive symptoms

Question 5

Atypical antipsychotics in Synaptic Transmission

Answer 5

• Block dopamine receptors - like typical
• Only temporarily occupy receptors, then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission
• This is thought to be responsible for fewer side effects
• Also act on other NTs, particularly serotonin, and address negative symptoms