Schizophrenia Flashcards
Definition
Complex neuro-developmental disorder which is mediated or exacerbated by environmental factors.
There is reduction/excess of dopamine?
Excess dopamine
Onset
Young adults
- peak incidence 15-25 for males and 25-35 for females
Risk factors - genetics
The more genes you share with someone with schizophrenia, the more likely you are to develop it
3rd degree relative affected - 2% risk 2nd degree relative affected - 5% risk 1st degree relative affected - 12% risk monozygotic twin affected - 50% risk Both parents affected - 50% risk
Risk factors - birth complications
Maternal viral infection Obstetric problems Prematurity Prolonged labour Childhood viral infections
Risk factors - substance misuse. Which drug is commonly associated with schizophrenia?
Cannabis
Neurobiology - brain ventricles are shrunken. True or false?
False
- brain ventricles are enlarged
Which area of the brain is commonly affected?
Fronto-temporal areas
Increased/decreased frontal lobe grey mater?
decreased
Grey matter abnormalities are present early/late in schizophrenia?
Early
Schizophrenia is related to under-activity of dopamine pathways in the brain. True or false?
False
- over-activity of dopamine pathways
Clinical presentation
Similar to psychosis section.
- delusions
- hallucinations
- thought interference
- passivity
- loss of insight
First rank symptoms are pathognomic. true or false?
False
- the symptoms can occur in other disorders e.g. mania
Hallucinations
3rd person auditory hallucinations
- running commentary on patients behaviour
Delusions
Persistent
Culturally inappropriate and completely impossible
- e.g. being in communication with aliens from another world
Positive symptoms - definition
A “gain”
Something that is completely new that the patient hasn’t experienced before
Positive symptoms - examples
Psychotic symptoms such as:
- delusions
- hallucinations
- assibity
- disorder of form of thought
Negative symptoms - definition
Patient has always had this feature but not has it to a lesser extent
Negative symptoms - examples
Reduced amount of speech
Reduced motivation
Reduced social interaction
It is not possible to diagnose schizophrenia by radiological means. True or false?
True
Management
Dopamine receptor antagonists
Anti-psychotics
Which drug is good for treating -ve symptoms?
Clozapine
Prognosis
Suicide
- may occur following recovery of insight
