Schizophrenia: Glutamate Hypothesis and Medications

Flashcards covering key concepts related to schizophrenia, its symptoms, causes, and the mechanism and effects of various antipsychotic medications.

Schizophrenia

A serious mental disorder involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perceptions, inappropriate behavior, and feelings.

Glutamate hypothesis

A theory suggesting that dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission due to underactivation of glutamate receptors contributes to symptoms of schizophrenia.

First-generation antipsychotics (FGA)

Antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol that act as antagonists at postsynaptic D2 receptors to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA)

Newer antipsychotic medications that effectively reduce both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and have fewer side effects.

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that add behaviors not normally present, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that reflect a decrease or loss of normal functions, including social withdrawal and anhedonia.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)

An irreversible movement disorder characterized by involuntary hyperkinetic movements of the face, tongue, limbs, and trunk, often resulting from long-term use of FGAs.

Dopamine (DA)

A neurotransmitter that is believed to be overactive in schizophrenia, particularly affecting D2 receptors.

5-HT2A receptors

Serotonin receptors that are involved in the action of some antipsychotic medications, particularly SGAs.

NMDA receptors

A subtype of glutamate receptors that are implicated in the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia, where their dysfunction results in underactivity of the frontal cortex.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

A non-competitive NMDA antagonist that blocks NMDA receptor activation, resembling symptoms of schizophrenia.

Atypical antipsychotics

A class of antipsychotic medications that include SGAs and act on both serotonin and dopamine receptors.