Summary
Summary AO1 and AO3 of the biological therapy for Schizophrenia
- Module
- Schizophrenia
- Institution
- AQA
AO1 and Ao3 of the biological therapy of Schizophrenia
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Revision notesBiological therapy for schizophrenia
Drug therapy
Antipsychotics are drugs used to reduce the intensity of symptoms, in particular the
positive symptoms, of psychotic conditions like schizophrenia.
Typical antipsychotics
Typical antipsychotics are the first generation of drugs of schizophrenia and other
psychotic conditions, having been used since the 1950s. They work as dopamine
antagonists and include chlorpromazine.
Chlorpromazine can be taken as tablets, syrup or by injection. Most people take a
maximum dosage of around 400 to 800mg.
Dopamine antagonists
There is a strong association between the use of typical
antipsychotics like chlorpromazine and the dopamine
hypothesis. Chlorpromazine, an antagonist, works by
blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, reducing the
action of dopamine. According to the dopamine hypothesis of
schizophrenia, the dopamine-antagonist effect normalises
neurotransmission in key areas of the brain reducing
symptoms like hallucinations.
Sedation effect
Chlorpromazine is an effective sedative, which is related to its effect on histamine
receptors. Chlorpromazine is used to calm individuals when they are admitted to the
hospital and are anxious.
Atypical antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics are drugs for schizophrenia developed after atypical antipsychotics.
They typically target a range of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.
Examples include clozapine and risperidone. They were developed during the 1990s.
Clozapine was withdrawn for a while in the 1970s following the deaths of some patients
from a blood condition called agranulocytosis. Clozapine was re-marketed as a treatment
for schizophrenia to be used when other treatments failed as it was discovered to be
more effective than typical antipsychotics. It has a daily dosage of 300-450mg.
Clozapine binds to dopamine receptors but also acts on serotonin and glutamate
receptors. It is believed that this help improves mood; reduces depression and anxiety
in patients; and improves cognitive functioning.
Risperidone was developed to produce a drug as effective as clozapine but without its
serious side effects. It can be taken as syrup, tablet or an injection that lasts for 2
weeks. It has a typical daily dose of 4-8mg and a maximum of 12mg. It binds to
dopamine and serotonin receptors; it binds more strongly to the dopamine receptors
and thus is taken in smaller doses, there is some evidence to suggest that this leads to
fewer side effects.
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