Drug therapy for schizophrenia

?
  • Created by: asusre
  • Created on: 30-04-21 23:22
How do typical antipsychotics work?
Typical antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists which means that they reduce the action of dopamine.
1 of 15
How do typical antipsychotics reduce the action of dopamine?
Typical antipsychotics bind to dopamine receptors (particularly the D2 receptors in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway), without stimulating them, thus blocking their action.
2 of 15
What symptoms do typical antipsychotics target?
Typical antipsychotics target positive symptoms by reducing the action of dopamine.
3 of 15
Why may atypical antipsychotics be used instead of typical antipsychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics carry a lower risk of side effects, have a beneficial effect on positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairment, and are suitable for treatment-resistant patients.
4 of 15
Why are atypical antipsychotics less likely to produce side effects?
Atypical antipsychotics only temporarily occupy D2 receptors and then rapidly disassociate to allow normal dopamine transmission.
5 of 15
Why do atypical antipsychotics target different symptoms than typical psychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics bind with serotonin receptors more than with D2 receptors, which explains the different effects of atypical compared to typical antipsychotics.
6 of 15
What is one strength of drug therapy to treat schizophrenia?
One strength of drug therapy to treat schizophrenia is that there is research to support the effectiveness of antipsychotics.
7 of 15
What research supports the effectiveness of typical antipsychotics?
Thornley et al. (2003) found that the typical antipsychotic chlorpromazine reduced symptom severity and led to better overall function, and lower relapse rates compared to a placebo.
8 of 15
What research supports the effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics?
Meltzer (2012) found that the atypical antipsychotic clozapine is more effective than typical antipsychotics, and it was effective in 30-50% of treatment-resistant cases where typical antipsychotics have failed.
9 of 15
What are the limitations of drug therapy to treat schizophrenia?
There is research to challenge the effectiveness of antipsychotics, it is unclear how they work, they have serious side effects, and they may not work long-term.
10 of 15
What research challenges the effectiveness of antipsychotics?
Healy (2012) suggested that some successful trials have had their data published multiple times which exaggerates the evidence for positive effects and the powerful sedative effect on patients does not mean that they reduce the severity of psychotic sympt
11 of 15
Why is it unclear how antipsychotics work?
Antipsychotics are based on the original dopamine hypothesis which argues that high levels of dopamine cause schizophrenia, but we have since discovered that it may be low dopamine levels, suggesting that any benefits may in fact be placebo effects.
12 of 15
What are the serious side effects of typical antipsychotics?
Typical antipsychotics can cause permanent brain damage, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) which can cause coma or be fatal.
13 of 15
What are the less severe side effects of typical antipsychotics and what is their impact?
Typical antipsychotics ca cause dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, stiff jaw, weight gain and itchy skin which may lead patients to choose to stop taking their drugs and so it prevents them from being fully effective.
14 of 15
Which research argues that antipsychotics may not work long-term?
Moncrieff (2013) argues that there is no evidence for antipsychotic long-term effectiveness. They are used in hospitals to sedate patients, making them easier for staff to work with, rather than benefitting the patients by reducing psychotic symptoms.
15 of 15

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How do typical antipsychotics reduce the action of dopamine?

Back

Typical antipsychotics bind to dopamine receptors (particularly the D2 receptors in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway), without stimulating them, thus blocking their action.

Card 3

Front

What symptoms do typical antipsychotics target?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why may atypical antipsychotics be used instead of typical antipsychotics?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why are atypical antipsychotics less likely to produce side effects?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Schizophrenia resources »