Biological Treatment - Drug Therapy

Question 1

What has the dopamine hypothesis done

Answer 1

Linked levels of neurotransmitters with symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 2

What does drug treatment aim to do

Answer 2

Alter dopamine levels in order to reduce symptoms

Question 3

What are anti-psychotics

Answer 3

Broad name for the type of drugs used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 4

The 2 types of anti-psychotics

Answer 4

Typical anti-psychotics

Atypical anti-psychotics

Question 5

Examples of typical anti-psychotic

Answer 5

Chlorpromazine

Question 6

Key features of typical anti-psychotics

Answer 6

• date use began since 1950s
• forms available: tablet, syrup and injection
• dosage: up to 1000mg

Question 7

How do typical anti-psychotics work

Answer 7

• blocks dopamine receptors to reduce action of dopamine in the brain
• dopamine levels build up then the body adjusts to drug by lowering production of dopamine
• affecting histamine receptors

Question 8

Symptoms treated by beneficial effects of typical anti-psychotics

Answer 8

• positive symptoms eg hallucinations and thought disturbances
• negative symptoms can be used to calm patients

Question 9

Side effects of typical anti-psychotics

Answer 9

• initial; dizziness, agitations, spleeniness, stiff jaw, weight gain
• long term; tardative dyskinesia
• neural malignant syndrome leading to high temperatures - can be fatal

Question 10

What is tradative dyskinesia

Answer 10

Supersensitivity to dopamine shown by grimacing, blinking and lip smacking

Question 11

2 types of atypical anti-psychotics

Answer 11

Clozapine

Risperidone

Question 12

Key features clozapine

Answer 12

• date began since 1970s
• formals abailable: everything but injection
• dosage: 300-450mg a day

Question 13

How does clozapine work

Answer 13

Binds to receptors of more than one neurotransmitter by temporarily blocking dopamine receptors

Question 14

Symptoms treated and beneficial effects of clozapine

Answer 14

• helps regulate mood, reduce anxiety and repression
• can improve cog function
• offered if treatment resistant after trying 2 other drugs

Question 15

Side effects clozapine

Answer 15

Risk of agranulocytosis potentially fatal blood condition meaning regular blood tests are needed

Question 16

Key facts risperidone

Answer 16

• data began since 1990s
• firms available: tablets, syrup or injection
• dosage: start with small dose 4-8mg up to 12mg

Question 17

How does risperidone work

Answer 17

Binds to receptors of more than one neurotransmitter

- binds ro dopamine and serotonin receptors more strongly than clozapine

Question 18

Symptomise treated and beneficial effects of risperidone

Answer 18

• effective in smaller doses

- as effective as clozapine without serious side effects

Question 19

Side effects of risperidone

Answer 19

• fewer side effects than typical antipsychotics

- Lower risk of side effects affecting movement

Question 20

4 evaluation points of drug therapy

Answer 20

Strength - effective in reducing symptoms
Weakness - methodological problems
Weakness - side effects
Weakness - problems of control

Question 21

Elaboration strength - effective in reducing symptoms of sz

Answer 21

• thornleys research in typical anti-psychotics showed chlorpromazine is effective
• 1121 ps compared to controls who received placebo showing drug is associated with severity of symptoms as well as Lower relapse rates
• therefore effective

Question 22

Elaboration weakness - methodological problems

Answer 22

• Healy showed positive effects may be exaggerated because only some successful trials have their data published
• also argued its easy for research to claim pos effects because antipsychotics have powerful calming effects
• design flaws such as short term effects
• more rigorous research needed

Question 23

Elaboration weakness - side effects

Answer 23

• questioning affect to whether drugs are effective and appropriate
• typical antipsychotics leading to dizziness, agitation, eight gain, stiff jaw
• some major side effects remain eg neuropathic malignant syndrome
• safety issues should be more greatly considered

Question 24

Elaboration weakness - problems of control and harm associated

Answer 24

• Moriz used patients weld report to conclude main subjective effects wheee doubt, numbing and withdrawal rather than treating symptoms
• seen as human rights abuse
• strong arguments suggesting ineffective and doesn’t treat symptoms
• need to develop an ethically sound cost- effective treatment