Biological Treatments

• What is the main issue with the publication of research related to drug treatments?

  Only research that benefits companies is being published
• What is the consequence of only publishing beneficial research?

  It causes a distorted perspective on the true effectiveness of drugs
• What is the rationale behind antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia (Sz)?

  • If Sz is biologically caused, treatments should be biologically based
  • The dopamine hypothesis suggests that reducing dopamine effects can reduce positive symptoms
• What do antipsychotic drugs contain that helps treat schizophrenia?

  Dopamine antagonists
• How do dopamine antagonists work in treating schizophrenia?

  They block dopamine receptors in the post-synaptic neuron
• What is the effect of blocking dopamine receptors in the post-synaptic neuron?

  It prevents dopamine binding and reduces brain activity
• What are the two types of antipsychotic drugs and their characteristics?

  • Typical antipsychotics:
  • Work on dopamine only
  • Treat positive symptoms only
  • Example: chlorpromazine (1950s)
  • Atypical antipsychotics:
  • Work on dopamine and serotonin
  • Treat both positive and negative symptoms
  • Example: clozapine (1970s)
• According to Bagnall (2003), how do new atypical drugs compare to typical drugs?

  New atypical drugs are generally more acceptable than typical drugs
• What did Cole et al (1989) find in their meta-analysis regarding drug treatments?

  Patients given antipsychotics showed a 70% improvement rate
• How does the improvement rate of antipsychotics compare to that of placebos?

  The improvement rate is 45% higher with antipsychotics than with placebos
• What is a limitation of the findings from Cole et al (1989) regarding drug treatments?

  The placebo group showed a 25% improvement, indicating a psychological cause
• What positive change did drug treatments bring to the treatment of schizophrenic patients?

  They reduced the need for lengthy hospital stays
• How do drug treatments improve the quality of life for patients?

  Patients can continue living their lives and functioning in the community
• What economic benefit do drug treatments provide?

  They reduce costs to the economy by keeping people out of mental institutions
• What are some side effects of antipsychotic drugs?

  Muscle tremors and weight gain
• What severe side effect can occur with atypical drugs?

  Agranulocytosis, which causes a depletion of white blood cells
• Why are monthly blood tests vital for patients on atypical antipsychotics?

  To monitor for the development of agranulocytosis
• What is a significant issue related to medication compliance among patients?

  40% of patients experience high relapse rates due to non-compliance
• What did Liberman find regarding medication adherence among patients?

  72% of patients stopped their medication within 18 months
• What is the 'Revolving Door Syndrome' in the context of schizophrenia treatment?


  It refers to continual discharge and re-admission to hospital due to medication non-compliance
• What is publication bias in the context of drug treatments?

  It refers to the influence of drug companies on what research is published