Biological treatments

• the two types of antipsychotic drugs :

  • typical
  • atypical
• typical antipsychotics :

  • example drug - chloroprazine
  • binds to dopamine receptors, particularly D2 receptor sites blocking dopamine transmission
  • dont stimulate receptor sites, this reduces dopamine levels so it cannot stimulate post synaptic neuron
  • eliminates positive symptoms
• atypical antipsychotics :

  • example - Clozapine
  • used mostly when typical drugs fails
  • binds to dopamine receptors and some serotonin receptors, blocking them
  • temporarily blocks neurotransmission, temporarily lowers dopamine and serotonin
  • reduces negative and positive symptoms
• research :

  • Bagnall et al 2003- compares effectiveness between typical and atypical
  • 223 trials
  • conclusions - no drug can be called superior. Atypical more effective but more expensive
  • Thornley et al 2003 - compares effectiveness of chlorpromazine vs placebo
  • chloroprazine more effective
  • 512 participants - relapse rate lower on chloroprazine
• a03 - strengths

  • Davis et al 1989 - meta analysis over 100 studies, anti-psychotics 70% more effective than placebos in treating symptoms after 6 weeks
  • drugs cheaper than therapy and easier to administer
• a03 - limitations

  • treat symptoms not cause eg high relapse rates of 40%
  • can lead to dependency on drugs
  • typical doesn't treat negative symptoms, shows its not effective for everyone
  • reinforces a patient that they have a disorder, which may reinforce schizophrenia symptoms