Biological therapies for schizophrenia

Chlorpromazine

First type of typical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine receptors, reducing the action of dopamine.

Atypical antipsychotics

Newer antipsychotics like clozapine and risperidone that also bind to serotonin and glutamate receptors.

Clozapine

Atypical antipsychotic effective in improving mood, reducing anxiety and cognitive functioning, and prescribed for those at risk of suicide.

Dopamine antagonists

Drugs that reduce the action of dopamine by blocking its receptors in the brain.

Risperidone

Atypical antipsychotic developed in the 90s, binds strongly to dopamine receptors, effective in smaller doses.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Serious side effect of antipsychotics causing high temperature, coma, and can be fatal.

Tardive dyskinesia

Involuntary facial movements caused by long-term use of typical antipsychotics due to dopamine super sensitivity.

Dopamine hypothesis

The theory suggesting that high levels of dopamine activity cause schizophrenia, later revised to suggest varying dopamine activity.

Thornley et al study

Review of studies comparing chlorpromazine to placebo, showing improved functioning and reduced symptoms.

Chemical cosh argument

Argument that antipsychotics are often used to make patients easier to manage rather than for patient benefit.