Schizophrenia & Dopamine Theory Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering dopamine theory, antipsychotic drug classes, specific medications, symptoms, and side effects from the schizophrenia lecture.

Dopamine Theory (of Schizophrenia)

Hypothesis that schizophrenia stems from excessive dopamine activity, particularly in the nigrostriatal pathway.

Nigrostriatal Pathway

Dopamine tract implicated in movement control; overactivity here is linked to schizophrenic symptoms per the dopamine theory.

Dopamine Antagonist

Drug that occupies dopamine receptors without activating them, blocking dopamine’s effects and reducing positive psychotic symptoms.

Positive Symptoms (Schizophrenia)

Additive behaviors such as hallucinations, delusions, and loose associations that are lessened by dopamine-blocking drugs.

Negative Symptoms (Schizophrenia)

Deficits like flat affect, poverty of speech, little movement, and poor self-care; improved by some newer antipsychotics.

Amphetamine Psychosis

Paranoid, schizophrenia-like state produced by stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, cocaine) that sharply boost dopamine activity.

LSD & Schizophrenia

Hallucinogen causing bizarre visuals but does NOT replicate schizophrenic symptoms, unlike stimulants.

Neuroleptics (Typical Antipsychotics)

First-generation drugs from the 1950s–60s that mainly curb positive symptoms by blocking dopamine receptors.

Phenothiazines

Subclass of neuroleptics; prototype drug is chlorpromazine (Thorazine).

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Classic phenothiazine neuroleptic; major tranquilizer that diminishes positive schizophrenic symptoms.

Butyrophenones

Subclass of neuroleptics; includes haloperidol (Haldol).

Haloperidol (Haldol)

Common butyrophenone neuroleptic; strong dopamine blocker used to treat positive symptoms.

Major Tranquilizer

Term for potent antipsychotics like Thorazine or Haldol that heavily sedate non-psychotic users.

Atypical (New-Generation) Antipsychotics

Second-generation drugs that address both positive and negative symptoms; examples include clozapine and risperidone.

Clozapine

Atypical antipsychotic effective for broad symptom relief but risks agranulocytosis, requiring blood monitoring.

Risperidone

Newer atypical antipsychotic from Eli Lilly with fewer side effects than clozapine.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Permanent movement disorder (shaking, shuffling) resembling Parkinson’s caused by long-term neuroleptic use.

Agranulocytosis

Serious drop in white blood cells that can occur with clozapine, endangering the immune system.

Dopamine Receptor

Neuronal protein where dopamine binds; target of antipsychotics which block it to reduce psychosis.