Drug therapy

• What are antipsychotic drugs used to treat?

  Disordered thinking, delusions, and hallucinations
• How is too much dopamine linked to schizophrenia?


  It is associated with schizophrenia symptoms
• How do antipsychotic drugs affect dopamine?

  They block dopamine receptors on postsynaptic nerves
• What is the result of blocking dopamine receptors?

  Less dopamine binds and nerve stimulation decreases
• What are antidepressants used to treat?

  Mood disorders
• What is an example of an antidepressant?

  Prozac
• What neurotransmitter do SSRIs increase levels of?

  Serotonin
• Why are low levels of serotonin significant?

  They are involved in mood feelings
• What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released into the synapse?

  They bind to postsynaptic receptors or are re-uptaken
• How do SSRIs work?

  They block the re-uptake of leftover neurotransmitters
• What are anti-anxiety drugs used to treat?

  Anxiety disorders
• What is a common type of anti-anxiety drug?

  Benzodiazepines
• How do benzodiazepines work?

  They enhance the activity of GABA
• What is GABA?

  A neurotransmitter that relieves anxiety
• How do beta-blockers function as anti-anxiety drugs?

  They block adrenaline and noradrenaline effects
• What is the effect of beta-blockers on the heart?

  They slow the pulse and reduce blood pressure