Schizophrenia and antipsychotics

Question 1

1. What is the aetiology of Schizophrenia?
2. Identify some of the clinical features of schizophrenia
3. What is Schizoaffective disorder?

Answer 1

1. Family history, Dopamine excess, Neurodevelopmental issues, CNS viral infections in childhood.
2. Hallucinations (in any sensory modality), Thought withdrawal, Thought insertion, Thought broadcast, Primary delusion, Delusional perceptions, Somatic passivity and feelings.
3. Clinical presentation with both affective and psychotic features.

Question 2

1. Antipsychotic drugs act by _______ the D1 and D2 groups of __________ receptors and are most effective against ______ symptoms.
2. __________ _______ syndrome is a side effect of anti-psychotic drugs. Symptoms include Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability and fluctuating levels of consciousness. Treatment involves stopping the drug and giving __________ and ________.

Answer 2

1. Blocking, Dopamine, Acute

2. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Bromocriptine and Dantrolene.

Question 3

Typical or ______ generation anti-psychotic drugs were the first anti-psychotics developed and include the _________ group. ___________ is the drug of choice where a more sedating drug is desired; ___________ when sedating is undesirable. _________ is used for long term prophylaxis. ________ is another powerful anti-psychotic but it is more likely to cause _________ side effects.

Question 4

Extrapyramidal side effects occur with the likes of ________ because dopamine pathways get blocked on the _________ pathway. These side effects include Acute _______, __________ and ______ Dyskinesia.

Answer 4

Haloperidol, Nigrostriatal, Acute Dystonia, Parkinsonism and Tardive Dyskinesia.

Question 5

_________ or second-generation anti-psychotics are now the first line treatment for newly diagnosed schizophrenia. _______ and _______ are two major examples. _______ has the strongest therapeutic effect but can cause severe ____________. Therefore ______ blood cells must be checked weekly for 18 weeks then every 2 weeks while on treatment. This drug also may reduce ________ behaviour and _______ ideation. It may however cause considerable _______ _____.

Answer 5

Atypical, Risperidone and Olanzapine, Clozapine, Agranulocytosis, Suicidal, Weight gain.