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Biological Treatments of SchizophreniaCharlotte & Katie & FenellaConventional AntipsychoticsAlso known as neuroleptic drugs as they cause unwanted effects of physical movement.The first typical antipsychotics to enter clinical use were the phenothiazines. These are a type of antihistamine and were first used in the 1950s in the form of a drug called chlopromazine

ChlopromazineThis drug reduces the frequency of hallucinations and other positive symptoms and works on blocking the receptors like dopamine which are located in the synapses of the neuronIt must be taken all of the time even if symptoms are seemingly absent, otherwise symptoms can return with great severityWhen this drug was introduced hospitalisation was dramatically reducedThroughout the 1970s/80s many different types of antipsychotics were introducedThese included thioxanthenes such as NavaneAll of the drugs were developed to reduce dopamine levels in the brain

Cole et al (1964)He found that after 6 weeks of treatment with antipsychotics drugs people with schizophrenia showed significant improvement compared to those given a placebo.Those given a placebo only improved a little.

Side EffectsSevere muscle tremorsExtrapyramidal effectsShuffling feet when walking, moving slowly and rigid facial expression.Restlessness and limb discomfort accompanied by bizarre face and tongue movements.Tardive Dyskinesia 10% of people have this long term

Some of these side effects can be relieved if also given some Parkinson's drugs at the same time.However Tardive Dyskinesia is very difficult to lessen or eliminate.Also a small number of people dont respond to the drugs at all.Loebel et al (1992) found that 16% were not likely to recover within 12 months of taking medication.Atypical AntipsychoticsSecond-generation antipsychotics are known as atypical antipsychotics. These have been introduced within the past 10 years.These drugs reduce not only positive symptoms but negative ones too.The most commonly used and effective are Clozapine and Risperidone.These drugs dont only work to reduce dopamine but do so with other neurotransmitters.This drug has been effective in people who have not responded to conventional antipsychotics.Side EffectsNauseaWeight gainIrregular heartbeatExcessive salivationReduced white blood cells resulting in akathisia

Evaluation - StrengthsBoth types of drugs help to reduce positive symptoms so people can live normal lives and not be hospitalised.Meltzer (1999) discovered 66% of patients with stubborn symptoms recovered on atypical medication after 12 months.The conventional antipsychotics have become as popular as bimonthly injections, which ensure adherence to regimes and help prevent relapse.Evaluation - LimitationsAtypical drugs are not widely used as they are expensive.Both types of drugs have bizarre, unwanted and significant side effects.Conventional medication is best sued when it is given in low doses to control relapse rates but these drugs only extend the interval between relapses, it doesnt prevent them.The drugs are a means of control and preventing relapse. They are not a cure.There is no evidence for conventional antipsychotics reducing negative symptoms