biological treatment

• aim of drug therapy

  modulate dopamine levels to reduce symptoms
• what are the 2 types of antipyschotics?

  1. typical
  2. atypical
• example of typical antipsychotics

  chlorpromazine
• outline atypical antipsychoticsmechanism of action

  • dopamine antagonists
  • block receptors in dopaminergic system
  • reduces dopamine transmission which alleviates positive symptoms
• effectiveness of typical antipsychotics

  • reduces positive symptoms

  Thornley et al - patients treated with drug showed better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity
• side effects of typical antipsychotics

  • movement disorders
  • involuntary facial movements
  • sedation
• example of an atypical antipsychotic

  • clozapine
  • risperidone
• outline atypical antipsychotic mechanism of action

  • block dopamine receptors temporarily
  • affect serotonin and glutamate receptors to improve mood and cognitive functioning
• effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics

  • more effective at treating negative symptoms

  Meltzer - clozapine helped 30 to 50% of patients who didn't respond to typical antipsychotics
• side effects of atypical antipsychotics

  • weight gain
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
• strength of drug therapies - evidence

  • Thornley et al - chlorpromazine was more effective than placebos
  • Meltzer - clozapine was effective for patients resistant to other treatments
  • valuable treatment
• weakness of drug therapies - individual difference

  • severe side effects
  • e.g. involuntary movements, movement disorders or fatal conditions
  • reduces overall effectiveness
• weakness of drug therapies - theoretical issues

  • reliance on dopamine hypothesis
  • atypical antipsychotics also act on serotonin and glutamate which indicates alternative causes
  • suggests more complex neurobiological explanation