schizophrenia - 1.4

Question 1

how do antipsychotic drugs work?

Answer 1

they bind to post-synaptic dopamine receptors but don’t allow electrical charge into the neuron

prevents dopamine from binding to receptors

this reduces overactivity of neurons in mesolimbic system

Question 2

which neurotransmitter do antipsychotics reduce?

Answer 2

dopamine

Question 3

limitations of traditional antipsychotics

Answer 3

drugs can cause extra-pyramidal symptoms like loss of control over movement

increase risk of heart problems, obesity and diabetes

Question 4

mesolimbic system

Answer 4

group of brain regions involved in processing reward

Question 5

limitations of traditional anytipsychotics

Answer 5

negative symptoms

according to dopamine hypothesis, negative symptoms are caused by low dopamine levels in frontal cortex

antipsychotics lower dopamine levels

symptoms could be made worse because they further reduce dopamine activity levels in frontal cortex

Question 6

traditional antipsychotics

Answer 6

typical

Question 7

newer antipsychotics

Answer 7

atypical

Question 8

differences between typical and atypical antipsychotics

Answer 8

atypical - only bind for short period of time, have fewer side effects, more effective at treating negative symptoms

typical- bind for longer period of time, less effective at treating negative symptoms

Question 9

atypical antispsychotics

Answer 9

target dopamine receptors

bind for short period of time

allows dopamine to bind to receptors again

fewer side effects, bind for less

more effective at treating -ve symptoms

Question 10

typical antispsychotics

Answer 10

bind for longer period of time

targets dopamine receptors

less effective at treating negative symptoms

Question 11

comparing effects of atypical and typical antipsychotics

Answer 11

crossley conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies, comparing effect of atypical and typical

no significant overall difference

typical had side effects whereas atypical had fewer side effects because they bind for shorter periods of time

atypical was only associated with weight gain

Question 12

why do typical antispsychotics have fewer side effects?

Answer 12

they bind for shorter periods of time

Question 13

support for atypical antipsychotics

Answer 13

leucht conducted a meta-analysis and reviewed 65 studies looking atypical and typical antipsychotics

typical and atypical antispsychotics were more effective than placebo pills

patients were less likely to relapse into experiencing severe hallucinations and delusions

less likely to go back to hospital

Question 14

limitations of atypical antipsychotics

Answer 14

sometimes don’t prevent relapse

patients who stop taking drug are likely to experience relapse

drugs only treat symptoms not cause