Biological therapy

• drug therapy

  use of antipsychotic drugs to treat Sz

  can be typical (traditional) or atypical
• typical antipsychotics

  e.g. chlorpromazine

  dopamine antagonists -> block dopamine receptors in the brain and reduces dopamine activity

  reduces halluciations
• atypical antipsychotics

  e.g. clozapine

  binds to dopamine receptors

  also acts on serotonin and glutamate

  improves mood and reduces depression in patients

  may improve cognitive functioning
• research evidence for effectiveness - typical

  Thornley et al

  reviewed data from 13 trials of chlorpromazine compared to placebo

  associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptoms
• research evidence for effectiveness - atypical

  Meltzer

  review that showed clozapine was more effective than typical antipsychotics + other atypical

  effective 30-50% of treatment-resistant cases compared to typical failing
• counterpoint to evidence for effectiveness

  Healy

  suggested flaws with evidence

  most studies are of short-term effects

  only some successful trials have had data published which exaggerates the evidence
• Limitation - side effects

  typical antipsychotics side effects

  • dizziness, sleepiness, agitation, weight gain
  • long term = tardive dyskinesia - involuntary facial movements.

  atypical

  • neuroleptic malignant syndrome - can result in coma, 0.1% - 2% frequency
• Strength - appropriateness

  an appropriate treatment for any severity of Sz.
• Limitation - cure

  drugs are not a cure for Sz, only reduce the symptoms. so not fully effective treatment