Antipsychotic Drugs and Schizophrenia

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering important terms and concepts related to antipsychotic drugs and schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by a 'split mind,' affecting about 1% of the world's population.

Downward drift theory

The theory that individuals with schizophrenia tend to drift down to lower socioeconomic status (SES) due to their illness.

Positive symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that reflect pathological excesses such as delusions and hallucinations.

Negative symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that reflect pathological deficits such as anhedonia and poverty of speech.

Psychomotor symptoms

Symptoms involving odd movements, including catatonia.

Catatonia

A state characterized by stupor, rigidity, posturing, or excitement.

First-generation antipsychotic drugs

Medications such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine that are strong dopamine antagonists.

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Side effects from first-generation antipsychotics including dystonia, akathisia, and Parkinsonism.

Dystonia

A condition of abnormal muscle tone causing muscular spasms.

Akathisia

A state of restlessness and the urgent need for movement.

Second-generation antipsychotic drugs

Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone and clozapine that target both dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Partial dopamine agonists

Medications that act as stabilizers for dopamine, often associated with third-generation antipsychotic drugs.

Cognitive clarity

A term describing improved mental function and clarity of thought associated with third-generation antipsychotics.

Hallucinations

False sensory perceptions experienced by individuals with schizophrenia.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs that are resistant to reasoning or confrontation with actual facts.

Alogia

A negative symptom characterized by poverty of speech.

Blunted affect

A negative symptom presenting as a lack of emotional expression.

Anhedonia

Inability to experience pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Volition

The ability to make choices and initiate actions.

Social withdrawal

A negative symptom leading to isolation and disengagement from social interactions.

Orthostatic hypotension

A drop in blood pressure upon standing, a side effect associated with some antipsychotic medications.

Weight gain

A frequent side effect of second-generation antipsychotics, leading to increased metabolic issues.

Dopamine hypothesis

The theory that argues excess dopamine activity is linked to the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Metabolic side effects

Health issues such as weight gain and diabetes related to the use of antipsychotic medications.

Cognitive dulling

Impaired cognitive functioning often reported with the use of antipsychotic medications.

Third-generation antipsychotic drugs

Antipsychotic medications that include aripiprazole and are known as dopamine stabilizers.

Benefits of third-generation antipsychotics

Less weight gain and fewer side effects than earlier generations of antipsychotics.

Stabilization of mood

The ability of certain antipsychotics to help maintain a consistent emotional state.

When do symptoms typically manifest in schizophrenia?

Typically in early adulthood.

What are the two main types of schizophrenia symptoms?

Positive symptoms and negative symptoms.

What is 'formal thought disorder'?

A disorganized thinking pattern often seen in schizophrenia.

What is 'neologism'?

The creation of new words that have no meaning to others, often seen in schizophrenia.

What can cause cognitive slowing in antipsychotic use?

The effect of first-generation antipsychotics on the central nervous system.

What symptoms do typical (first-generation) antipsychotics reduce most consistently?

They most consistently reduce positive symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Which neurotransmitter system do first-generation (typical) antipsychotics primarily block?

They primarily block the dopamine neurotransmitter system, acting as strong dopamine receptor antagonists.

The extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) caused by first-generation antipsychotics most closely resemble what neurological disorder?

Parkinson's disease, due to symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and slowed movement (Parkinsonism).

When were antipsychotic medications like Thorazine (chlorpromazine) first introduced?

Antipsychotic medication had an accidental breakthrough in 1952, with drugs like chlorpromazine coming into use.

Which generations of antipsychotics typically produce the fewest movement-related side effects?

Second-generation and especially third-generation antipsychotics, due to their more targeted receptor profiles.

Which serious blood disorder is a known risk linked to the atypical antipsychotic clozapine?

Agranulocytosis, a dangerously low white blood cell count.

Which additional neurotransmitter system, besides dopamine, do second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics strongly affect?

Serotonin neurotransmitter receptors.

What chronic and involuntary movement disorder, characterized by lip-smacking, tongue flicking, and tic-like movements, can result from long-term use of first-generation antipsychotics?

Tardive dyskinesia.

What life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs is characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness?

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

How does blocking acetylcholine and histamine receptors lead to specific antipsychotic side effects?

Blocking acetylcholine causes anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Blocking histamine often leads to sedation and weight gain.

Provide examples for each category of schizophrenia symptoms: positive, negative, and cognitive.

• Positive Symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations
• Negative Symptoms: Anhedonia, alogia (poverty of speech), blunted affect, social withdrawal
• Cognitive Symptoms: Formal thought disorder, neologisms, cognitive dulling