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Describe and Evaluate Biological Treatments for Schizophrenia

Describe and Evaluate Biological Treatments for Schizophrenia. TREATMENT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA. Historically people suffering from mental health issues were not treated with dignity or respect.

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Describe and Evaluate Biological Treatments for Schizophrenia

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  1. Describe and Evaluate Biological Treatments for Schizophrenia

  2. TREATMENT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA Historically people suffering from mental health issues were not treated with dignity or respect.

  3. Before the 1950s schizophrenia was considered untreatable and patients were interned in mental institutions

  4. Over time there have been a variety of different methods used to treat schizophrenia

  5. Rosenhan & Seligman vividly describe the back wards of mental hospitals as ‘snake pits’, filled with inmates who were unreachable or mutely catatonic, or were wild with delusions and straitjacketed. • Attempts to treat schizophrenia with insulin, ECT and drugs often failed.

  6. DISCOVERY • In the mid 1950s it was discovered that large daily doses of Amphetamines could produce a psychosis identical to schizophrenia • Amphetamine increases D2 transmission • Chlorpromazine improves symptoms of schizophrenia • Prevents Dopamine from activating

  7. This knowledge has led to the development of drugs that have similar pharmacological properties to chlorpromazine. • The symptoms that are most responsive to these types of drugs are the ‘positive’ symptoms. Type 1

  8. ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS • Anti-psychotic drugs have provided a breakthrough in treating schizophrenia and remain the main form of treatment • Although they provide a calming effect….. The problem is …… • Have little effect on Type 2 • Have side effects

  9. Chemotherapy • Since the 1950s use of drugs to treat mental disorders has become widespread • Types of drugs fall into following categories • Anti-anxiety • Anti-depressant • Anti-psychotic • Anti-manic • Stimulants • They work to either increase or reduce the levels of different neurotransmitters

  10. Phenothiazines: decreases dopamine activity. • Reduces positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.). • Fails to reduce negative symptoms (flat affect, low motivation, etc.). • Unpleasant side effects: dizziness, nausea, sexual impotence, tardive dyskinesia (involuntary facial movements), etc. • May cause permanent biochemical changes reducing possible eventual full recovery. 2. Clozapine: blocks less dopamine and blocks more serotonin. a. Reduces both positive and negative symptoms. b. Fewer side effects; . c. Problem: produces a potentially lethal blood disorder.

  11. “Problem Schizophrenics” • Newer generation antipsychotics can be effective in these normally unresponsive schizophrenics. They also lack some of the debilitating side effects of the older Drugs. • These newer generation antipsychotics appear to block multiple subtypes of dopamine receptors (including D1 D2 D3 D4 D5).

  12. Evaluation of biological treatments • Side Effects • Not effective for everyone • Little Effect on Type 2 Symptoms • Cost / Time Effective • Evidence to support effectiveness • Can be used in combination with other therapies

  13. Complete the worksheet on the Kane et al Research • A – To Carry out a one year double blind study to see the effectiveness of Fluphenazine as a treatment for Schizophrenia • P – Longditudinal study of 28 Patients referred to a New York clinic with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Independent Measures design, random allocation of drug or placebo. Patients dropped out if they had toxic side effects of relapsed. • R – 7/17 patients receiving the placebo had relapsed by 19 weeks. Among drug treatment there were no relapses. Toxic side effects of the drugs did cause 2 receiving treatment to drop out by 32 weeks. • C- Patients with one episode of schizophrenia can be successfully treated using Fluphenazine once they are in remission.

  14. Outline the findings of Meltzer (2004) • See Brain pages 253-254

  15. Group Activity • Imagine that you work in the Pharmaceutical industry. • Prepare a poster to present your drug to the rest of the group. Include any possible side effects of your drug.

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