Drug therapy Flashcards
components: antipsychotic drugs? 1
- treat disorders such as Schizophrenia
- Positive symptoms are believed to be due to the high levels of Dopamine in the brain
- which can be explained by the neurons that transmit dopamine firing too easily or often leading to overstimulation and symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions OR there are abnormally high numbers of D2 receptors on receiving neurons . this means more dopamine binds and more neurons fire
what are positive symptoms?
symptoms that are added to you - abnormal behav u gain due to to having Sz e.g. hallucinations/ delusions
what are negative symptoms?
things the person loses - e.g. Sz patients lose emotions/ feelings
components: antipsychotic drugs? 2
- stay on them forever
- called dopamine antagonists
- oldest type = conventional/ typical antipsychotics - CHEAPER e.g. Chlorpromazine
- bind to D2 receptors to block action = decrease levels of dopamine active in the brain
- Newer (2nd gen) Atypical antipsychotics e.g. Clozapine
- temporarily bind to Dopamine receptors then quickly disconnect = fewer side effects
what is an antagonist drug?
type of drug which block/ inhibits the action of neurotransmitters
what is an agonist drug?
drug which stimulates/ increases the activity of a neurotransmitter
what happens if dopamine levels become too low?
- can happen
- - side effects - no pleasure, less movement
extra: where are D2 receptors found?
area of brain called nucleus accumbens, which is a part of the mesolimbic pathway
component 2: antidepressant drugs?
- treat mood disorders such as depression
- symptoms such as sleep problems, low mood, and disruption to appetite are linked to the function of serotonin
- DEPRESSION = LOW LEVELS OF SEROTONIN e,g, Prozac
- drugs: Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors
- block the serotonin reuptake channels of the sending neuron
- increase the amount of serotonin in the synapse available to stimulate the receiving neuron
what are low levels of serotonin caused by?
- the rapid uptake of the chemical or it being broken down by enzymes b4 enough has been passed on from one neuron to the next
components: antianxiety drugs? (1 - symptoms)
- symptoms of anxiety include feelings of panic, fearthis may lead to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath
- these are caused by the body’s fight/ flight response to stress/anxiety - increased anxiety levels and activity in the CNS
- drugs used to treat anxiety help to reduce these physical symptoms
components: antianxiety drugs? 2
1 - Beta Blockers - ANTAGONIST - target the ‘fight or flight stress response
- bind to adrenaline receptor sites on the heart, to prevent the action of adrenaline
- helps to alleviate anxiety symptoms (e.g. racing heart)
2- Benzodiazepines: AGONIST - increases levels of body’s natural anxiety relief ‘GABA’.
- This neurotransmitter reduces activity in our CNS therefore making us feel calmer
- The BZ drug increases how accessible the GABA receptor is
how biological approach is applied to DT? NEUROTRANSMITTERS
- changes in the brains neurotransmitter systems will affect our mood, emotions, behaviour
- suggests an alteration or imbalance in the levels of certain brain chemicals may have an impact on ‘normal’ function
- e.g. assumed that depression is caused by low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin
- in relation to the therapy, means by altering function/ levels of certain chemicals w the use of psychotherapeutic drugs, can treat symptoms of certain psychological disorders
- in general, drug therapy works by blocking the action or increasing the action of diff neurotransmitters in the brain
how biological approach is applied to DT? LOCALISATION OF BRAIN FUNCTION
- refers to the structure & function of diff brain areas and the impact these have on our mood & behaviour
- e.g. an area in brain known as the limbic system is responsible for regulating our emotions - meaning any disturbances or abnormality in the function of this brain area may affect mood ect
- this is applicable to the function drug therapy as certain drugs target neurons in certain areas of the brain - improving symptoms of localised in the functions of those areas
- e.g. an area of the brain called mesolimbic pathway contains D2 receptors that are thought to play a role in + symptoms of Sz - antipsychotic drugs work by targeting the action of these neurons in this localised brain area in order to reduce symptoms of Sz
how biological approach is applied to DT? THE MEDICA L MODEL
- the BA approach therapy is based on the medical model - which assumes all behavs have a bio basis
- this is bc the BA assumes behav and mental illness are caused by physiological factors
- the assumptions of the BA apply the view that mental illnesses should be treat in the same way as physical ones, that their physical symptoms can be dealt w through physiological treatments
- patients suffering from psy disorders like depress, sz csn be treated through the direct manipulation of their biological bodily processes e.g. thru altering biochemistry levels with drug therapy
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antipsychotics
POINT
research supports the evidence of antipsychotics in treating Sz
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antipsychotics
EVIDENCE
Cole et al found 75% of patients given a conventional antipsychotic were ‘much’ improved compared w only 25% of those given a placebo. In addition, none of the patients given the antipsychotic got any worse, compared to 48% of those in the placebo condition
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antipsychotics
EXPLAIN
this shows that the active chemicals in the antipsychotic do have a beneficial effect. it is not simply the thought that you are getting help that works. Furthermore, the cole et al study was published in 1964 and was one of the first to demonstrate that Sz can be treated through the use of drugs. this meant that people with Sz may not need to b restrained in an institution and may be able to live independently in the community as long as drugs were controlling their symptoms
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antidepressants
POINT
research supports the effectiveness of antidepressants in treating major depressive disorder
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antidepressants
EVIDENCE
Cipriani et al (2018) conducted a meta analysis of research carried out into the 22nd gen antidepressants approved in the USA, Europe, Japan. The studies they reviewed had either tested the antidepressant against a placebo, or trialled 2 antidepressants against each other. in all cases the actual drugs were more effective than the placebo
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: antidepressants
EXPLAIN
this provides strong evidence that the action of antidepressants in increasing serotonin levels does have a + effect on treating depresion in adults. this study is up to date and builds on earlier research
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: placebos
POINT
some studies suggest that placebos mah work as effectively for treating depression
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: placebos
EVIDENCE
Kirsch et al (2008) reviewed clinical trials of SSRIs and concluded that only in cases of the most seevre depression was there any sig + of using SSRIs. Moderately depress ppl showed the same improvement when given either the placebo or the drug treatment
Evaluating the effectiveness of DT: placebos
EXPLAIN
suggests, considering the risk of side effects assoc w antidepressants, they may only be justifiable to use tthem in the most serious cases. Ppl w moderate deprss may be able to make improvements without the need for drug therapy
