Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers Flashcards
What causes positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Over-reatcivity of mesolimbic pathway
What causes negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Mesocortical pathway dysfunction
Describe how dopamine may lead to delusions
- Dopamine mediates attention and reward
- Excess dopamine causes inability to jettison irrelevant information
- Brain connects dots of non salient information
- Delusions occur
Describe schizophrenia
- Chronic
- Onset typically early 20s
- Prevalence in 1% of population
Describe 2 cognitive impairments of schizophrenia
- Pattern of impairments
2. Drop in IQ
Describe a negative symptom of schizophrenia
Emotional blunting (social withdrawal, apathy)
Describe a positive symptom of schizophrenia
Psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, impaired insight)
Name 5 typical antipsychotic drugs
- Chlorpromazine
- Fluphenazine
- Flupentixol
- Haloperidol
- Sulpiride
Name 6 atypical antipsychotic drugs
- Olanzapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
- Aripiprazole
- Amisulpride
- Clozapine
Describe the different in side effects between 1st and 2nd generation antipsychotic drugs
- Typical more likely to produce EPSE (extra pyramidal side effects)
- Atypical more likely to produce metabolic side effects
- 2nd generation have broader receptor profile
What mediates antipsychotic drugs clinical effects?
Antagonism at dopamine D2 receptors
What type of symptoms do antipsychotic drugs improve?
Positive symptoms
Name 2 types of adverse effects mediated by dopamine antagonist for antipsychotic drugs
- EPSE (Nigrostriatal Tract)
2. Prolactin Elevation (Tuberoinfundibular System)
Name 4 types of receptors other than dopamine receptors which mediate adverse effects of antipsychotics
- Serotonin
- Histamine
- Muscarinic
- Alpha adrenergic
Name 4 side effects associated with EPSE
- Acute dystonia
- Parkinsonism
- Akathisia
- Tardive Dyskinesia
What is acute dystonia?
Sudden contraction of a muscle grow
How can acute dystonia be resolved?
Use of an anti-cholinergic agent e.g. procyclidine
Name 3 ways parkinsonism as an EPSE side effect could be resolved
- Reducing dose
- Changing antipsychotic
- Use of anticholinergic agent
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Writhing movements in face, tongue, trunk, arms or leg
What is the best treatment for tardive dyskinesia?
Switch treatment to 2nd generation antipsychotic
Name 3 types of second generation antipsychotics which are particularly susceptible for causing metabolic side effects
- Quetiapine
- Olanzapine
- Clozapine
Name 3 metabolic side effects of antipsychotics
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth / constipation
- Postural hypotension
What 3 receptors mediate weight gain as a metabolic side effect of antipsychotics?
- Antagonism of 5HT2C
- Antagonism of 5HT1A
- Antagonism of H1
What is clozapine used for?
Reserved for use in treatment resistant schizophrenia
What is resistant schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia which has not been resolved with 2 trials of antipsychotic for a minimum of 6 weeks each
Name 3 common side effects of clozapine
- Sedation
- Weight gain
- Hypersalivation
What is a side effect of clozapine which can be fatal?
Neutropenia leading to agranulocytosis