schizophrenia -biological treatments (drug therapies) Flashcards
what is the most common treatment for SZ?
.antipsychotics
how do antipsychotics work?
.they reduce intensity of symptoms + work by being dopamine antagonists in the dopamine system
how do dopamine antagonists work?
.block dopamine receptors on post synoptic nerve, reducing neurotransmission, reducing symptoms
what are the 2 types of antipsychotics?
.typical
.atypical
what is a typical antipsychotic?
.dopamine antagonist ie: chlorpromazine
how does a typical antipsychotic drug work?
.reduces the action of a neurotransmitter by blocking the dopamine receptors in the brain by allowing production to build up then slowly reduce
.only reduces positive symptoms
what is chlorpromazine?
.sedative
.used to calm patients
.long term effects -reduces motivation
what is an atypical antipsychotic?
.newer dopamine antagonist (1970’s) ie: clozapine
how does an atypical antipsychotic work?
.also effects transmission of neurotransmitters
.as effective against positive symptoms
.more effective against negative symptoms
what is a good thing about an atypical antipsychotic?
.fewer side effects
what is a bad thing about atypical antipsychotics?
.more expensive
how does clozapine work?
.binds to dopamine receptors
.effects serotonin and glutamate transmission
what is a side effect to clozapine?
.can result in arangulocytosis -damage to white blood cells and can cause death
what is a strength to drug therapies?
.research support shows drugs are effective
.typical -metal analysis study (55 studies) chlorpromazine more effective treatment than placebos (thornley et al 2014)
.atypical -clozapine 30%-50% more effective in treat in resistant cases (meltzer et al 2012)
what are the negatives to drug therapies?
.CBT more effective than drugs -NICE 2014 review
.side effects can be mild or serious
.mild - dry mouth, fatigue
.serious - arangulocytosis (atypical), dyskinesia (typical)
