Biological treatment of schizophrenia Flashcards
How does Chlorpromazine treat schizophrenia?
Chlorpromazine works as a dopamine antagonist, blocking dopamine receptors in the brain’s synapses, reducing dopamine activity. This helps to normalise neurotransmitter levels.
What type of symptoms does Chlorpromazine treat?
Positive symptoms, mainly hallucinations and delusions
How does Clozapine treat schizophrenia?
Clozapine acts on dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate receptors. It is believed that this broader action helps to improve mood, reduce depression and anxiety, and address negative symptoms like avolition.
What type of symptoms does Clozapine treat?
Negative symptoms
Name a typical anti-psychotic
Chlorpromazine
Name an A-typical anti-psychotic
Clozapine or Risperidone
How does Risperidone treat schizophrenia?
Risperidone binds more strongly to dopamine and serotonin receptors than other antipsychotics, allowing it to be effective at much smaller doses. This results in fewer side effects compared to other antipsychotics.
What is the primary difference between typical and atypical antipsychotics?
Typical antipsychotics (like Chlorpromazine) primarily block dopamine receptors, while atypical antipsychotics (like Clozapine and Risperidone) act on dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate receptors, which may help address both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
What is a strength of the biological approach to treating schizophrenia? (Typical)
A strength is that there is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in treating schizophrenia. Thornley et al. (2003) found that Chlorpromazine was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity in 13 trials with 1121 participants. It also led to a lower relapse rate compared to placebo.
What is a strength of the biological approach to treating schizophrenia? (A-typical)
A strength is that there is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in treating schizophrenia. Meltzer (2012) found that Clozapine is more effective than typical antipsychotics and other atypical antipsychotics. It is particularly effective in 30-50% of treatment-resistant cases where typical antipsychotics have failed.
What is a limitation of antipsychotic drugs in treating schizophrenia?
*A limitation is that antipsychotics do not work for all patients and they do not provide a cure for schizophrenia. While they can reduce symptoms, they are not a complete solution.
*They have side effects of typical antipsychotics include dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, stiff jaw, weight gain, itchy skin, and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary facial movements). The most serious side effect is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which can be fatal.
What is a strength of atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics, like Clozapine, were developed to reduce side effects, and they generally have fewer severe side effects compared to typical antipsychotics.
What is a limitation of the biological approach to treating schizophrenia being based on the dopamine hypothesis?
The biological approach is based on the dopamine hypothesis, but evidence suggests that the hypothesis is incomplete. Dopamine levels may be too low in certain brain areas rather than too high, which complicates the understanding of how antipsychotics work.
What is a limitation of using drugs to treat schizophrenia?
Drug treatment is only recommended for short term use to help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia, instead overcoming the disorder in the long term.
