Schizophrenia (Antipsychotic Drugs) Flashcards
What is the Dopamine Hypothesis in relation to schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia may be caused by excess levels of dopamine, particularly affecting D2 receptors in the limbic system.
What drug in the 1950s suggested a link between dopamine and schizophrenia?
L-dopa, which increases dopamine levels and can produce schizophrenia-like symptoms.
Where are D2 dopamine receptors found that are linked to schizophrenia?
In the limbic system.
What was the first antipsychotic drug and when was it developed?
Chlorpromazine, developed in the 1950s.
How do conventional antipsychotics work?
They block dopamine from stimulating postsynaptic receptors.
Name a conventional antipsychotic and its form of administration.
Fluphenazine, given as an injection.
How do atypical antipsychotics differ from conventional ones?
They block both dopamine and serotonin receptors and tend to have fewer side effects.
What is Aripiprazole and how does it work?
An atypical antipsychotic that acts as a partial dopamine agonist.
What did Cole et al (1964) find regarding conventional antipsychotics?
75% of patients improved with drugs vs. 25% with placebo; no drug patients worsened vs. 48% placebo.
What did Ravanic et al (2009) find about Clozapine?
Clozapine had the best effectiveness and the least side effects among 3 drugs tested.
What did Lobos (2010) conclude about Clozapine?
It reduced positive symptoms well but did not work for all treatment-resistant patients.
What is revolving door psychiatry?
When patients relapse and are readmitted due to stopping medication.
What did Valenstein et al (2004) find about medication adherence?
About 40% of 63,000 patients had poor adherence; adherence varied by drug and age.
Name some side effects of antipsychotic medications.
Tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonism, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease.
What ethical criticism did Szasz (1960) make about antipsychotics?
They are used to make patients compliant rather than reduce suffering.
What are some practical issues with antipsychotic treatments?
Side effects, difficulty finding the right drug, cost, potential worsening of symptoms.
