Schizophrenia

Question 1

what are two common misconceptions about schizophrenia?

Answer 1

having a split personality and being violent and dangeorus

Question 2

how is schizophrenia diagnosed?

Answer 2

based on the aetiology (microbes, toxins, genetics) and the pathogenesis (how the aetiological factors lead to disease)

Question 3

what are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 3

positive (occurances beyong usual experience)
negative (absence of things that comprise usual experiencce)
cogntive

Question 4

what are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 4

the positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder

Question 5

what are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 5

the negative symptoms include withdrawl from social interactions, a flattening of emotional resposnes, and speech disorders

Question 6

what are the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

the cognitive symptoms include deficits in working memory and problems with executive function (attention etc)

Question 7

what are the two aetiological branches to be considered in schizophrenia diagnosis?

Answer 7

genetic factors and environmental factors

Question 8

what is the pathogenesis of schizophrenia?

Answer 8

some neurodevelopmental changes are present (such as loss of gray matter in PFC, and there can be enlargements in cerberal vesicles)

Question 9

what is chlorpromazine?

Answer 9

a drug developed in the 50s as a sedative but found to treat psychosis
most affective on positive symptoms

Question 10

what are the main dopamine pathways implemented in schizophrenia?

Answer 10

mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway

Question 11

what is the ideal therapeutic approach for treating schizophrenia?

Answer 11

being able to inhibit DA neurotransmission in the limbic system, whilst enhancing DA neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex

Question 12

what are the two dopamine receptor families?

Answer 12

D1 (containing D1 and D5, activation of adenylyl cyclase)

D2 (containing D2, D3, D4, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase)

Question 13

what are first generation antipsychotics?

Answer 13

very effective at treating positive symptoms but cannot choose where these drugs act and so introduces a wide range of side effects

Question 14

what happens when D2R is blocked by first gen antipsychotics in the nigrostriatal pathway?

Answer 14

this causes unwanted motor effects including acute dystonias and tardive dyskinesia

Question 15

what happens when the tuberoinfundibular pathway is blocked?

Answer 15

this blockage leads to endocrine effects as dopamine usually acts on the pitituary gland to control prolactin production

Question 16

what are second generation antipsychotic?

Answer 16

developed in 1980s onward and have reduced side effects and increase impact on negative and cognitive symptoms as well as positive symptoms

Question 17

how do side effects arise from second gen antipsychotics?

Answer 17

via binding and action at other receptor types

Question 18

what is a further pathway which has recently been considered for its involvement in schizophrenia?

Answer 18

the glutamate pathway which is when symptoms of schizophrenia arise from disruptions to glutaminergic transmission
NMDAR implented in both all symptoms

Question 19

what is the evidence for the glutamate pathway in schizophrenia?

Answer 19

schizophrenics had lower NMDAR expression in hippocampus

Question 20

which two drugs are being developed for the glutaminergic pathway and schizophrenia?

Answer 20

LY140023 and mAChRs