outline and evaluate drug therapies for schizophrenia

Question 1

outline typical anti-psychotics

Answer 1

first gen - 1950s chlorpromazine

work of principles off original dopamine hypothesis so, chlorpromazine works by acting as a dopamine antagonist

dopamine antagonist - drug that binds to dopamine receptor to block its action & reduce levels of dopamine reaching post synaptic neuron

bind to d2 receptors to prevent too much dopamine being absorbed by d2 receptors

normalises neurotransmission in key areas of the brain, reducing positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations

Question 2

outline atypical anti-psychotics

Answer 2

2nd gen - 1980/1990s clozpine and risperidone

clozapine developed in 1960s and first trialled in 1970s

suggested to be more effective than typical anti-psychotics as it binds to receptors as chlorpromazine does but also acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors, treating both positive and negative symptoms

risperidone developed in 1990s as clozapine was involved in deaths from agranulocytosis

binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors

however, risperidone binds more strongly to dopamine receptors and is therefore more effective in smaller and has fewer side effects.

Question 3

strength 1

Answer 3

supporting research evidence for typical

thornley et al 2003

reviewed data from 13 trials and found that chlorpromazine was associated with better functioning and reduced symptom severity compared to a placebo

strengthens biological treatments of schizophrenia as typical anti-psychotics help schizophrenic patients in minimising their symptoms to enhance their quality of life

Question 4

strength 2

Answer 4

supporting research evidence atypical anti-psychotics are effective

meltzer et al 2012

concluded that clozapine is more effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases where typical anti-psychotics have failed

suggests atypical anti-psychotics are more effective than typical in treatment of schizophrenia, meaning clozapine may be a better drug treatment

Question 5

limit 1

Answer 5

is that other treatments may be more clinically successful

this is because anti-psychotics only reduce schizophrenic symptoms rather than tackling the underlying cause

e.g. if a patient stops taking their medication, their schizophrenia symptoms may reappear resulting in the patient becoming reliant on the drug to function normally

suggests psychological therapies, such as CBT, which tackle the underlying causes of schizophrenia are more successful than drug therapies

Question 6

psychology +

Answer 6

some would argue drug treatments of schizophrenia are still more effective than psychological treatments as they are more cost effective

e.g. they do not require a trained psychologist

ensure patients can return to work quicker, and minimise the burden on the NHS