Schizophrenia: Overview & Treatment Options Flashcards
Theories on pathophysiology of schizophrenia center on these neurotransmiters
dopamine
serotonin
glutamate
In addition to the 3 major neurotramsitters, what other imbalances are the focus of other theories?
aspartate
glycine
GABA
Dopamine receptor site most associated with schizophrenia symptoms
D2
The Four Dopominergic pathways implicated in schizophrenia
Mesocortical pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway
Mesolimbic pathway
Tuberoinfundibular pathway
A decrease or blockade of tuberoinfundibular dopamine results in ________, which in turn results in (3 things).
elevated prolactin levels
galactorrhea, ammenorrhea, and reduced libido.
nigrostriatal pathway location in the brain
originates in the substantia nigra and ends in the caudate nucleus.
Low dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway are thought to affect….
the extrapyramidal system, leading to motor problems
Mesolimbic pathway location in the brain
extends from the ventral tegmental area to the limbic areas.
Mesolimbic pathway plays this role in schizophrenia
an excess of dopamine plays a role in positive symptomology
Mesocortical pathway location in the brain
extends from the VTA to the cortex
Low mesocortical dopamine levels are thought to cause
Negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia
tuberoinfundibular pathway location in the brain
projects from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
LSD stands for ____ and enhances this neurotransmitter in the brain leading to this new hypothesis for the development of schizophrenia
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Serotonin
Serotonin hypothesis
Compounds that block both Serotonin and Dopamine are effective in alleviating _____
both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
These two noncompetitive NMDA/glutamate antagonists induce schizophrenia like symptoms.
phenylciclidine & Ketamine
Phsyical brain changes in schizoprhenia
Increase in the size of third & lateral ventricles
smaller medial temporal lobe
Examples of obstetric complications that increase risk of schizoprhenia
bleeding during pregnancy
gestational diabetes
emergency C-section
asphyxia
low birth weight
Fetal disturbances during this trimester increase the risk of schizophrenia by how much? Give two examples linked to the risk increase.
2nd trimester
Double
Infections & excessive stress levels
Risk of illness in individuals with genetic relatives
10% for 1st degree relative
3% for 2nd degree relative
the risk of one twin having schizophrenia: monozygotic vs dizygotic
48% increase in monozygotic
12-14% dizygotic