Biological Therapies for Schizophrenia

• antipsychotics

  drugs used to reduce the intensity of symptoms of psychotic conditions
• typical antipsychotics

  the first generation of antipsychotic drugs (1950s). they target dopamine reducing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. can produce movement side effects
• how typical antipsychotic drugs work

  act as dopamine antagonists (work against dopamine)- they bind to dopamine receptors at the postsynaptic neuron and block the action of dopamine
• atypical antipsychotics

  the second generation of antipsychotic drugs. they target dopamine and serotonin, reducing positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• how atypical antipsychotic drugs work

  also act as dopamine antagonists, but also block the action of serotonin
• an example of a typical antipsychotic

  chlorpromazine
• 2 examples of a typical antipsychotic

  clozapine and risperidone