Lecture 12a: Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience

Schizophrenia

A diverse disorder with multiple existing types and varied profiles that involves a breakdown of the effective integration of emotion, thought, and action

Casual Factors in Schizophrenia

• Genetic contribution

• Several different chromosomes implicated

• Associated with various early insults — infections, autoimmune reactions, toxins, traumatic injury, stress

Antipsychotic Drugs

Chlorpromazine and Reserpine

• Not effective for 2-3 weeks and presents Parkinson-like motor effects

Chlorpromazine

Calms many agitated schizophrenics and activates many emotionally blunt schizophrenics

Reserpine

Effective but is no longer used

Effectiveness of Antipsychotics

• The higher the drug’s affinity for dopamine receptors, the more effective it is in treating schizophrenia

• Haloperidol is an exception as it and other butyro-phenones bind only to D2 receptors

Clozapine

An atypical and effective neuroleptic, acts at D1, D4, and serotonin receptors, but has only some binding to D2 receptors

Affective Disorders (Mood Disorders)

Characterized by disturbances in mood or emotion

Depression

Normal response to loss, becomes abnormal when it persists or has no cause

Mania

Overconfidence, impulsivity, distractibility, and high energy

Antidepressant drugs

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Diathesis-Stress Model of Depression

Genetic susceptibility and combined with stress, results in depression