Carlsson and use of secondary data Flashcards
1
Q
Two aims of Carlsson’s study?
A
- to review studies into the relationship between levels of neurotransmitters especially dopamine and glutamate, on symptoms of SZ
- to use the understanding of psychosis and links to neurotransmitter functioning to produce new antipsychotic drugs that could be more effective with fewer side effects
2
Q
procedure
A
- reviewed research from a variety of sources’ investigation into neurochemical levels in patients diagnosed with SZ, as well as studies into drugs known to induce symptoms of psychosis
- previous studies were used that have looked at the use of recreational drugs on psychosis and previous studies have linked amphetamine with SZ and PCP with psychosis
- drew on evidence from studies into the effectiveness of drugs used to treat SZ and method of action they have on the brain
3
Q
studies that support the evidence of neurotransmitter levels on SZ
A
Abi Dargham and Brier found PET scan evidence to suggest that high levels of dopamine relate to psychosis
4
Q
results
A
- reduced levels of glutamate seem to be associated with increased dopamine release
- glutamate failure in the cerebral cortex may lead to negative symptoms whereas glutamate failure in the basal ganglia could lead to positive symptoms
- clozapine is highly effective with fewer side effects as it blocks both dopamine and serotonin in the brain and was also seen to be highly effective in patients who have previously not responded to treatments
- drugs focus on certain NT functioning, and because atypical drugs work in different ways and in different places in the brain it is hard to predict effects
5
Q
conclusions
A
- further research needs to be conducted in developing drugs that avoid side effects by considering the role of other NTs in SZ
- schizophrenia may have different types that could be caused by abnormal levels of different NTs not just dopamine
- glutamate deficiency could lead to more responsiveness in dopamine
- more serotonin activity as well as dopamine
6
Q
strengths
A
- secondary data alllows a larger amount of information to be brought together quickly
- much of the evidence used comes from reliable and scientific methods
- application of the results - aim of helping to develop more effective treatments for SZ
- Sendt et al found that drugs focusing on dopamine do not work for many people, and many neg. and cogn. symptoms seem to come from dysfunction of glutamate
7
Q
weaknesses
A
- researchers relied on secondary data, and therefore the validity and reliablity of the Research can be questioned
- many of the results considered came from animal studies
- when discussing the dopamine hypothesis, Carlson suggested that scamming to look at NT functioning may not have valid findings because being scanned can affect normal functioning therefore reducing the validity
8
Q
meta-analysis
A
- uses secondary data from multiple sources and researchers can analyse data conducted by other researchers to draw conclusions
- can be carried out in areas such as the effectiveness of therapies and treatments across different patient groups (Carlsson)
9
Q
strengths of meta-analysis
A
- conclusions can be drawn from a vast array of different areas and a huge overall sample very quickly, and at much less cost
- trends and relationships within issues can be found
- no ethical concerns
- better generalisability of findings, as mat-analysis can cover studies across cultures
10
Q
weaknesses of meta-analysis
A
- no involvement of gathering data, and so there may be issues of reliability and/or validity in the methods of data gathering of which they are unaware
- publication bias as a possibility, research that produces null effects is not published and therefore would be ignored by meta-analysis
- studies that the meta-analysis draws on are unlikely to be identical in their research method, procedure, sampling and decision making
- results of studies may be out of date and not specific to the aim
