Biological treatments of schizophrenia

Question 1

when were antipsychotics introduced

Answer 1

1950s

Question 2

what is the general function fo antipsychotics

Answer 2

their general function is to lower dopamine activity to reduce symptoms

Question 3

what is the reasoning for why antipsychotics lower dopamine

Answer 3

this due to the dopamine hypothesis which suggests changing a Sz levels of dp should diminish the disorder

Question 4

what are the 2 types of antipsychotics

Answer 4

atypical antipsychotics
typical antipsychotics

Question 5

example of typical antipsychotics

Answer 5

Chlorpromazine

Question 6

example of atypical antipsychotics

Answer 6

clozapine and risperdone

Question 7

TRUE or FALSE: typical antipsychotics are the first line of drug used when treating SZ

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

how do typical antipsychotics work?

Answer 8

They bind with dopamine receptor sites (especially D2 receptor sites) which blocks dopamine transmission however, doesn’t stimulate the receptor site.

Question 9

why do typical antipsychotics work to treat schizophrenia?

Answer 9

the typical antipsychotics work by reducing dp levels therefore the post-synaptic neuron cannot be stimulated therefore, eliminating positive symptoms

Question 10

when are atypical antipsychotics used

Answer 10

when typical antipsychotics have failed

Question 11

how do atypical antipsychotics work

Answer 11

they bind to dp receptor sites and some seretonin receptor sites blocking their function in multiple brain areas. They block neurotransmission temporarily as they rapidly dissociate to allow normal transmission.

Question 12

why do atypical antipsychotics work to treat schizophrenia?

Answer 12

as the drugs temporarily lower dp and seretonin levels, this reduces positive and negative symptoms of SZ

Question 13

who investigated the clinical effectiveness of typical and atypical antipsychotics for SZ treatment

Answer 13

BAGNALL ET AL (2003)

Question 14

what was the aim of bagnalls research into schizophrenia

Answer 14

compared the clinical effectiveness of typical and atypical antipsychotics for SZ treatment

Question 15

what was the procedure of bagnalls research into biological treatments of schizophrenia

Answer 15

data was compiled from 223 trials and 31 economic evaluations to assess effectiveness, side effects and cost effectiveness of each drug

Question 16

what were the results of bagnalls research into biological treatments of sz

Answer 16

typical drugs:
effectiveness:
- treat only positive symptoms and not as effective as atypical drugs

side effects:
- not associated with weight gain, however produced similar levels of nausea as atypical drugs

cost effectiveness:
- cheapest option

Atypical drugs:
effectiveness:
- more effective than typical drugs at reducing schizophrenic symptoms treating pos and neg symptoms

side effects:
- fewer movement disorders, increased salivation, temperature, nasal congestion and weight gain. some drugs associated with cardiac death

cost effectiveness:
More expensive with cheaper versions prove less effecive

Question 17

what did bagnall conclude after his research into biological treatments of sz

Answer 17

no drug can be considered better than the other.
while atypical seems mor eeffective theyre more expensive with cheaper versions being less effective.
each drug should be considered on individual basis however, can only be corrected through trial and error

Question 18

how is chlorpromazine taken?

hint: form, dosage amount

Answer 18

tablets, syrup or injection form

max dosage is 1000mg but patients are started on a small dose working their way up

Question 19

how does chlorpromazine work

Answer 19

they block dp receptors int he synapses of the brain, reducing action of Dopamine. Overtime the brain normalises neurotransmission in key areas of the brain - reducing pos symptoms

Question 20

side effects of chlorpromazine?

Answer 20

dizziness
agitation
anxiety
dry mouth
insomnia
stiff jaw

long term use:
tardive dyskinesia (abnormal movement)

Question 21

any other uses for chlorpromazine

Answer 21

chlorpromazine is also an effective sedative due to its effects of histamine receptors
–> calms people down for example when patients first admitted to hospital

Question 22

how is clozapine taken?

hint: form, dosage amount, when its taken

Answer 22

a daily dosage that is typically 300-450mg
only used when all other treatments have FAILED
it is only in tablet form due to its potentially fatal side effects

patient has to have regular blood test to ensure they don’t develop agranulocytosis

Question 23

how does clozapine work?

Answer 23

clozapine binds with dp receptors as well as acting on seretonin and glutamate receptors

its believed eyo reduce depression, anxiety as well as improving mood and cognitive function

Question 24

side effects of clozapine?

Answer 24

nausea
confusion
irregular heart beat or pulse
dizziness
shakiness

agranulocytosis –> extremely low levels of white blood cells

Question 25

any other uses of clozapine

Answer 25

its mood enhancing effects means its sometime prescribed to those with high risk of suicide
which is important as 30-50% of people with SZ attempt suicide at some point

Question 26

how is Risperidone taken?

hint: form, dosage amount, when its taken

Answer 26

tablets, syrup, injection which lasts around 2 weeks

its given in small doses which is built up to a daily dose of 4-8mg

max dose of 12mg

Question 27

how does risperidone work?

Answer 27

it binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors as it binds more strongly to dopamine receptors –> making it more effective in smaller doses than most antipsychotics

Question 28

what are the side effects of risperidone?

Answer 28

feeling sleepy during the day
issues with movement
headaches
weight gain
increased risk of diabetes

Question 29

are there any other uses of risperidone

Answer 29

its been developed to produce a drug as effective as clozapine without the serious side effects

Question 30

strength of bio treatmenats for sz

Question 31

weakness of bio treatments for sz