drug therapy for schizophrenia

Question 1

what type of drugs are used and why (st and lt)

Answer 1

antipsychotic drugs

st to relive symptoms
lt to avoid recurrence of symptoms

Question 2

what are the 2 types of APs and which one is first gen and conventional

Answer 2

typical (traditional first generation)

and atypical (conventional/newer second generation)

Question 3

example of a typical AP

Answer 3

chlorpromazine

Question 4

how do typical APs work and what do they reduce

Answer 4

they reduce positive symptoms of SZ eg hallucinations/delusions, thought to be a product of overactive dopamine system.

they act as a dopamine antagonist, they block dopamine receptors at a synapse (specifically D2 receptors in the mesolimbic system)

Question 5

how do atypical APs work and what do they reduce

what is different about them compared to typical

Answer 5

they reduce positive symptoms of SZ eg hallucinations/delusions, thought to be a product of overactive dopamine system.
also have a beneficial effect on negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.

aimed to minimise the effects of typical.

they only temporarily block the D2 receptors and then rapidly dissociate allowing normal dopamine transmission (thought to be responsible for extrapyramidal side effects