drug therapies

Question 1

outline typical antipsychotics

Answer 1

• first-generation antipsychotics which aim to reduce the effects of dopamine, therefore, reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia
• they bind but do not stimulate D2 receptors in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway eliminating positive symptoms to do with schizophrenia

Question 2

what is an issue with the use of typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

between 60-70% of D2 receptors must be blocked for the drug to work - however, a similar number of D2 receptors in the brain must also be blocked leading to undesirable side effects

Question 3

outline how atypical antipsychotics work

Answer 3

also, act by blocking D2 receptors however dissociate rapidly allowing normal dopamine transmission reducing side effects
have a higher affinity for serotonin receptors than D2 receptors, therefore, reduce both positive and negative symptoms

Question 4

why are atypical antipsychotics more beneficial

Answer 4

1) lower risk of side effects

2) beneficial against negative symptoms

Question 5

evaluate drug therapy for schizophrenia treatment

Answer 5

1) research support for effectiveness- a meat analysis of 65 studies looking into patients who were taken off their medication and given a placebo, the remaining PPS remained on usual medication- within 12 months 64% released on the placebo vs 27% on the usual medication
2) critical resrach- side effects may reduce use- typical drugs sometimes produce movement issues with the patient similar to Parkinson’s symptoms, more than half of individuals taking typical drugs experience these symptoms and when taken long term can lead to involuntary movements of the face- these stop patients taking medication
3) issue and debate- nature vs nurture- ignores other therapies such as CBT