Biochemical (dopamine) explanations of schizophrenia Flashcards
What did Farde find in 1992? What makes it special?
He used a PET scan and found that clozapine acts as strongly on dopamine receptors as typical anti-psychotics, previously unknown.
How does L-Dopa give support for the dopamine explanation?
L-Dopa is used to alleviate Parkinsons symptoms. It increased dopamine symptoms. It led to the development of schizophrenic symptoms in those previously unaffected, but not those already affected.
How do amphetamines support the dopamine explanation?
A stimulant drug which increased dopamine levels, can induce symptoms of acute paranoid schizophrenia in previously unaffected individuals and heighten symptoms in already affected.
What did Seeman find in 1987? What was special about his study?
A review of post-mortem studies found increased dopamine receptor density of 60-110% in schizophrenics. However, was completed on patients with lifetime anti-psychotic use.
What did Wong find in 1986? What was special about his study?
A PET scan found two fold increase in dopamine receptor density on non-drug schizophrenics vs schizophrenics on drugs and controls.
What did Farde find in 1990? What was special about his study?
A PET scan which did not replicate the findings of Wong (no difference in dopamine receptor density between schizophrenics on drugs and not on drugs).
He used a PET scan and found that clozapine acts as strongly on dopamine receptors as typical anti-psychotics, previously unknown.
Farde, 1992.
A review of post-mortem studies found increased dopamine receptor density of 60-110% in schizophrenics. However, was completed on patients with lifetime anti-psychotic use.
Seeman, 1987.
A PET scan found two fold increase in dopamine receptor density on non-drug schizophrenics vs schizophrenics on drugs and controls.
Wong, 1986.
A PET scan which did not replicate the findings of Wong (no difference in dopamine receptor density between schizophrenics on drugs and not on drugs).
Farde, 1990.
