biological treaments for sz - drug therapy

Question 1

blocking receptors

Answer 1

drugs that stop the receptor sites binding to the neurotransmitters

Question 2

agonists

Answer 2

drugs that block neurotransmitters/uptake (speeding up the process)

Question 3

antagonists

Answer 3

does the opposite of an agonist

Question 4

inhibiting reuptake

Answer 4

drugs that prevent the reuptake of neurotransmitters, slowing down the message and behaviour

Question 5

FGA (first generation antipsychotics)

Answer 5

• a drug that deals with dopamine and reduces the dopamine neurotransmission
• heavy side effects
• reduces positive symptoms but do nothing to negative symptoms (because receptors are blocked)

Question 6

SGA (second generation antipsychotics)

Answer 6

• drugs used to regulate dopamine
• allows SOME dopamine to pass through the receptor sites
• has a secondary impact on serotonin and glutamate while targeting dopamine
• tackled both positive and negative symptoms

Question 7

how is drug therapy carried out for schizophrenia?

Answer 7

1. doctors will prescribe a typical antipsychotic medication
2. following the first psychotic episode, they will only try one drug at a time and monitor the patient carefully for changes in symptoms and any side effects
3. however they may be combined with antidepressants and anticonvulsants

Question 8

what is the typical antipsychotic?

Answer 8

a drug that targets dopamine mainly (FGA)

Question 9

what are atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 9

a newer generation of antipsychotics that target dopamine, serotonin and glutamate (SGA)

Question 10

clozapine (optional drug)

Answer 10

• atypical
• blocked both dopamine and receptor sites
• rare side effects = angranuloctytosis

Question 11

what is agranulocytosis?

Answer 11

a serious condition that occurs when there is an extremely low number of granulocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the body

Question 12

chlorpromazine

Answer 12

• typical antipsychotic
• blocks dopamine receptor sites, decreasing dopamine activity
• side effects = musdhle tightening in neck and jaw + 25% relapse rate