Biological therapies for schizophrenia Flashcards
What are antipsychotics?
Drugs that are used to redice the intensity of symptoms of psychotic conditions like schizophrenia.
What are typical antipsychotics?
The first generation of antipsychotic drugs that work as dopamine antagonists.
What are atypical antipsychotics?
Drugs for schizophrenia which were developed after typical antipsychotics and they work on dopamine as well as other neurotransmitters.
What is the typical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia?
Chlorpromazine
How do typical antipsychotics work?
They act as antagonists in the dopamine system by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapses of the brain, reducing the action of dopamine. This normalises neurotransmission in key areas of the brain, reducing symptoms such as hallucinations.
Why is Chlorpromazine also useful, other than being an antipsychotic?
It is an effective sedative and so is used to calm patients with schizophrenia and other conditions. It is often used as syrup as it is absorbed quickly.
What are examples of antipsychotics?
Clozaping and Risperidone
How does clozapine work?
It binds to sopamine receptors in the same way that chlorpromazine does but it also acts on serotonin and glutamate. It is believed that this also improves mood and reduces depressiona and anxiety. This is important as 30-50% of schizophrenics attempt suicide at some point.
What is risperidone?
An atypical antipsychotic which was developed to produce a drug that was as effective as clozapine but without the serious side efffects. It binds to dopamine and serotonin.
What are the strengths of biological therapies for schizophrenia?
There is evidence for the effectiveness of chlorpromazine in comparison to a placebo as symptoms were reduced. Also, stuudies found clozapine more effective than typical antipyschotics and other
atypical antipsychotics.
What are the weaknesses of biological therapies of schizophrenia?
There are serious side effects such as blood problems, weight gain, dizziness and NMS which can be fatal.
Use of antipsychotics depends on the dopamine hypothesis but if it says that low levels cause schizophrenia, how can antipsychotics work.
Problems with evidence for effectiveness as evidence has been exaggerated and that their calming effects were effective rather than the reduction of psychosis.
Ethical issues with using drugs to calm down patients.
