Schizophrenia Drug Therapy: Typical and Atypical antipsychotics

Question 1

What is an example of a typical antipsychotic?

Answer 1

Chlorpromazine

Question 2

Are typical antipsychotics an antagonist or an agonist?

Answer 2

Antagonist

Question 3

What kind of antagonist are typical antipsychotics?

Answer 3

Dopamine Antagonist

Question 4

How does Chlorpromazine work?

Answer 4

Binds to the D2 receptors

Question 5

Where are the D2 receptors?

Answer 5

On the post synoptic neurons in the brain

Question 6

What does Chlorpromazine do?

Answer 6

Reduces the dopamine activity levels

Question 7

What does a reduction in dopamine activity levels lead to?

Answer 7

A reduction in postive symptoms such as hallucinations

Question 8

What are Typical Antipsychotics also used for?

Answer 8

A sedative
Calming patients

Question 9

What is an example of Atypical Antipsychotic?

Answer 9

Clozapine

Question 10

Is Clozapine an antagonist or an antagonist?

Answer 10

Both

Question 11

What does Clozapine act upon?

Answer 11

Dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitter

Question 12

What does Clozapine bind to?

Answer 12

D2 dopamine receptor sites on post synoptic neuron

Question 13

What does Clozapine reduce?

Answer 13

Positive symptoms such as hallucinations

Question 14

What does Clozapine also act upon?

Answer 14

Serotonin receptor sites (2A and 2C)

Question 15

Why does Clozapine act upon serotonin?

Answer 15

To increase levels of serotonin

Question 16

What does an increase in serotonin do?

Answer 16

Reduces negative symptoms such as lack of emotions, helps improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety in patients

Question 17

What are atypical antipsychotics associated with?

Answer 17

A life threatening illness called Agranulocytosis

Question 18

When are atypical antipsychotics only given?

Answer 18

When typical antipsychotics are not effective or if the patient has sever negative side effects

Question 19

What will happen if the patient is given atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 19

They will be regularly monitored for signs of agranulocytosis

Question 20

What can typical antipsychotics give patients?

Answer 20

Parkinsonism

Question 21

What will Parkinsonism do?

Answer 21

Affects patients motor movements and can be quite distressing to a previously fit and able individual

Question 22

1 - A strength is that there is evidence to support their effectiveness

Answer 22

There is a large body of research to support the effectiveness of typical and atypical

Question 23

1 - Who investigated the research to support?

Answer 23

Thornley et al

Question 24

1 - What did Thornley et al use?

Answer 24

A meta-analysis of 13 studies with a total of 1121 ppts

Question 25

1- What did Thornely et al investigate?

Answer 25

Chlorpromazine against a placebo

Question 26

1- What did Thornley et al find?

Answer 26

Typical antipsychotic was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity

Question 27

1 - What did Meltzer conclude?

Answer 27

Clozapine was more effective than typical antipsychotics, is effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases

Question 28

2 - Another strength os they require little motivation

Answer 28

Patient only has to take tablet to reduce symptoms of Sz unlike CBT

Question 29

2 - What does CBT require?

Answer 29

Motivation as they have to attend sessions and engage in them to identify and challenge irrational thoughts like delusions

Question 30

2 - Why might CBT be difficult for a person with Sz?

Answer 30

May not have an accurate perception of reality

Question 31

2 - Why is it beneficial to a person with negative symptoms such as avolition?

Answer 31

They receive immediate positive effects on their symptoms

Question 32

2 - What is the link?

Answer 32

More accessible so more appropriate

Question 33

3 - Weakness is that it can cause negative side effects

Answer 33

Typical such as Chlorpromazine can cause Parkinsonism and atypical can cause agranulocytosis

Question 34

3 - Unlike…

Answer 34

CBT which identifies and challenges irrational thoughts without drugs so there aren’t any potentially life threatening illnesses

Question 35

3 - What is the link?

Answer 35

Not appropriate, reduces effectiveness, when they stop taking them, may relapse