Biological Therapies for Schizophrenia
Describe two biological therapies for schizophrenia and then evaluate each in terms of effectiveness (8 + 16 marks):
One biological therapy is the use of typical anti-psychotic drugs, such as Chlorpromazine. The main aim of this drug is to treat schizophrenia by reducing the amount of dopamine in the brain. This is because high levels of dopamine are thought to cause schizophrenia, therefore by reducing the amount of dopamine, the symptoms of schizophrenia should reduce. Typical anti-psychotic drugs bind to dopamine receptors (particularly the D2 receptor) and block their action. These drugs are thought to be very effective at reducing symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
Research from Davis et al (1980) found a significant difference in terms of relapse rates between treatment (typical anti-psychotics) and placebo groups, in that those in the placebo groups were more likely to relapse. This difference was found in every study reviewed, this therefore supports the effectiveness of the use of typical anti-psychotics drugs to treat schizophrenia as it shows, anti-psychotics had made a significant, persistent change to the secretion of dopamine in schizophrenic users.
However Rose and Read (2004) argue that placebo studies are not a fair comparison of treatment versus non-treatment because, under the placebo conditions, the patient is usually in a drug withdrawal state. With sudden and complete withdrawal of anti-psychotic medication, the previously blocked dopamine system becomes flooded with dopamine because of the heightened sensitivity and increased numbers of dopamine receptors (which happens as a response to drug-induced blockade of the dopamine system during medication). This results in a total overwhelming of the dopamine system. Consequently, claim Ross and Read, a proportion of the relapses in the placebo condition can be explained by the withdrawal effects of the drugs. This evidence therefore challenges the effectiveness of the use of
One biological therapy is the use of typical anti-psychotic drugs, such as Chlorpromazine. The main aim of this drug is to treat schizophrenia by reducing the amount of dopamine in the brain. This is because high levels of dopamine are thought to cause schizophrenia, therefore by reducing the amount of dopamine, the symptoms of schizophrenia should reduce. Typical anti-psychotic drugs bind to dopamine receptors (particularly the D2 receptor) and block their action. These drugs are thought to be very effective at reducing symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
Research from Davis et al (1980) found a significant difference in terms of relapse rates between treatment (typical anti-psychotics) and placebo groups, in that those in the placebo groups were more likely to relapse. This difference was found in every study reviewed, this therefore supports the effectiveness of the use of typical anti-psychotics drugs to treat schizophrenia as it shows, anti-psychotics had made a significant, persistent change to the secretion of dopamine in schizophrenic users.
However Rose and Read (2004) argue that placebo studies are not a fair comparison of treatment versus non-treatment because, under the placebo conditions, the patient is usually in a drug withdrawal state. With sudden and complete withdrawal of anti-psychotic medication, the previously blocked dopamine system becomes flooded with dopamine because of the heightened sensitivity and increased numbers of dopamine receptors (which happens as a response to drug-induced blockade of the dopamine system during medication). This results in a total overwhelming of the dopamine system. Consequently, claim Ross and Read, a proportion of the relapses in the placebo condition can be explained by the withdrawal effects of the drugs. This evidence therefore challenges the effectiveness of the use of