˚₊‧ʚ♡ɞ‧₊˚ drugs for psychological disorders I ˚₊‧ʚ♡ɞ‧₊˚ Flashcards
What is schizophrenia? What are the symptoms?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, disabling mental disorder characterized by disturbances and thought perception, language, emotional responsiveness and behavior. Symptoms can be categorized as positive, negative, or cognitive. Positives (addition of behavior) include hallucinations, delusions; Negatives (reduction of behavior) include flat affect/emotional range, poverty of speech, apathy, social withdrawal, anhedonia; cognitive symptoms include disorganized thinking, slow thinking, loss of executive function, difficulty concentrating, working memory deficits, anosognosia.
What factors influence the risk of schizophrenia?
GENETICS: increased risk if an immediate relative has it.
ENVIRONMENTAL: low birth weight, prenatal complications, social stressors like childhood trauma.
What are some neurobiological changes seen in those with/ schizophrenia?
Structural abnormalities: reduced volume in temporal lobe, hippocampus, limbic system, basal ganglia & frontal lobe.
Neurochemistry: abnormal levels of dopamine and/or glutamate.
How is dopamine affected in those w/ schizophrenia?
Theorized that schizophrenia is due to atypical regulation of dopamine brain pathways, resulting in abnormal levels of dopamine. Drugs that block dopamine may reduce many of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Theorized that schizophrenia is associated w/ dopamine overactivity.
What category of drugs are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia?
Antipsychotics/neuroleptic drugs.
what receptors are targeted in drugs used to treat schizophrenia?
Dopamine receptors; they are blocked. 3rd generation antipsychotics are partial agonist @ dopamine receptors, so drug binds to these receptors & produces less of an effect than dopamine.
What are side effects of drugs used to treat schizophrenia?
Dry mouth, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to light, weight gain.
Severe side effects: neuroleptic malignant syndrome & movement disorders.
Compare & contrast 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation antipsychotics.
1st gen: “typical” antipsychotic; alleviates symptoms by blocking dopamine receptors, reducing positive symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and agitation. It may block reward mechanisms, leaving people apathetic & unable to feel pleasure/lacking interest—a state similar to negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
2nd gen: “Atypical” antipsychotics also block dopamine receptors—to a lesser degree. They also block serotonin-2A receptors, preventing motor side effects. They may alleviate negative AND positive symptoms.
3rd gen: unique mechanism of action—partial agonist @ dopamine receptors. Readily binds to these receptors, but produces less of an effect than dopamine itself.
What is major depressive disorder & what are the symptoms?
Major mood disorder consisting of unremitting depression/periods of depression that don’t alternate with/ periods of mania. Must have 5+ symptoms for 2+ weeks & must impair life—at least one symptom must be depressed mood or diminished interest. Other symptoms can include a change in weight/appetite, change in sleep, psychomotor changes, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, decreased concentration, and suicidality.
What are MAOIs?
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase (which breaks down dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) leading to more dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
What are tricyclic antidepressants?
imipramine blocks reuptake of norepinephrine & serotonin. Tricyclics are easier to take & side effects are less dangerous.
What are SSRIs?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, medication that inhibits reuptake of NT serotonin from synapse.
How do SSRIs work at the synpase?
Binds to serotonin transporter pump & slows/blocks its activity, allowing serotonin to be in synapse longer. It prevents serotonin from lingering in the synaptic cleft & continually stimulates the receiving neuron.
What are some side effects of SSRIs?
Changes in sleep, weight gain, sexual dysfunction.
What is an atypical antidepressant? Why is it sometimes used in conjunction with SSRIs?
Atypical antidepressants are DNRIs (Dopamine-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. Given because side effects can counterbalance side effects of SSRIs.
