biological treatments

Question 1

what are typical antipsychotics

Answer 1

since 1950s

chlorpromazine

Question 2

what is chlorpromazine and how does it work

Answer 2

typical antipsychotic

dopamine antagonist, blocks dopamine receptors in the synapse, reducing its action

this normalises neurotransmission is key areas of the brain, reducing positive symptoms

Question 3

what are atypical antipsychotics

Answer 3

since 1970/80s

clozapine

risperidone

Question 4

what is clozapine and how does it work

Answer 4

atypical antipsychotic

major side effects

binds to dopamine receptors and acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors

improves mood and depression, may improve cognitive functioning

Question 5

what is risperidone and how does it work

Answer 5

atypical antipsychotic

binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors

binds to dopamine receptors more strongly than clozapine so is effective in much smaller doses

less side effecst

Question 6

what are strengths of antipsychotics

Answer 6

thornley et al (2003)

meltzer (2012)

Question 7

what did thornley et al (2003) study

Answer 7

strength of antipsychotics

reviewed data from 13 trials and found that chlorpromazine was associated with better functioning and reduced symptom severity compared with placebo

Question 8

what did meltzer (2012) study

Answer 8

strength of antipsychotics

clozapine is better than typical antipsychotics and is effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases

Question 9

what are weaknesses of antipsychotics

Answer 9

effects may be due to calming nature rather than effects on real symptoms

side effects eg tardive dyskinesia, NMS

we do not know why they work, they are based on the dopamine hypothesis but it may be that levels are too low in some areas

staff may use them to make patients easier to deal with