5. biological therapy

Anti psychotic drugs

  • discovered in the 1950s

  • Most modern drugs work by blocking the effects of dopamine

  • The aim is to help the individual to function and to improve overall wellbeing

Typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics

  • typical = first generation, just work on dopamine

  • Atypical = newer, work on a range of neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin)

Typical

  • Stop dopamine production by blocking the D2 receptors in synapses that absorb dopamine

  • Reducing positive symptoms

  • However they blocked all types of dopamine activity, so this caused side effects and may have been harmful

Atypical

  • Target D2 dopamine activity but not D3 receptors

  • Also have some effect on other neurotransmitters such as serotonin

  • Have fewer side effects

Brendan

  1. Clozapine binds to dopamine receptors, as well as serotonin and glutamate receptors. This helps to improve mood and reduce depression. As less dopamine in the synapse reduces negative symptoms

  2. Because it would enhance is mood which is will have been prescribed due to him having a high rate of schizophrenia.