Schizophrenia Pharmacology and Related Psychosis

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the diagnostic criteria, onset, genetic factors, environmental causes, and structural brain changes associated with schizophrenia based on lecture notes.

Psychosis

A severe mental illness in which delusions and hallucinations are prominent.

Schizoaffective disorders

A main psychotic related disorder that includes severe depressive episodes.

DSM4/5 Diagnosis Criteria for Schizophrenia

Two or more symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms) present for a significant portion of time during a 1 month period.

Antipsychotic response rate

Approximately 80% of patients respond to antipsychotics, though they typically take 3-4 weeks to work.

Early onset of Schizophrenia

The general beginning of the disorder occurring at the end of adolescence, specifically between 17-20 years of age.

Late onset Schizophrenia (>40y or >60y) characteristics

Clinical presentation involving fewer negative symptoms, better neuropsychological performance, better response to antipsychotics, and a higher prevalence in females.

Prodromal State

A phase before the first episode characterized by a heterogeneous group of behaviours such as social withdrawal, odd beliefs, magical thinking, and unusual perceptual experiences.

Commonalities between Bipolar 1 and Schizophrenia

Shared features including peak onset in early adulthood, presence of psychotic symptoms, and the use of antipsychotics for treatment.

Commonalities between Autism and Schizophrenia

Shared clinical features such as social interaction deficits, communication impairments, and negative or deficit symptoms.

Antenatal vulnerabilities

Environmental factors during pregnancy such as exposure to infectious agents, maternal stress, and malnutrition.

Cannabis

An environmental factor that can trigger the onset of schizophrenia, particularly in those who are already predisposed to the disorder.

Urbanicity

An environmental risk factor for schizophrenia associated with living in densely populated areas, changing residence during childhood, and social isolation.

Structural brain changes in Schizophrenia

Physical alterations including higher third ventricle size, lower cerebrum size, and volume reduction of the frontal lobe gray matter.

Cortical Thickness

A measure of gray matter that shows a quicker reduction with age in schizophrenia patients than in healthy individuals, particularly in the frontal lobe.