PSYC 271 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Behavioral Neuroscience, Stimulant, Substantia Nigra
28 Feb 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Describe the evolution of the dopamine theory of schizophrenia. Describe the neural mechanisms of mood disorders. Understand current biopsychological research and treatment of schizophrenia and clinical depression. Severe mental illness characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions. Combination of at least two of the following symptoms: Tested on sz patients: calming and emotional activation effects. Therapeutic effects kicked in after 2-3 weeks of medication. Symptoms: tremors at rest, muscular rigidity, general decrease in voluntary movement. Depletes dopamine levels in the brain by breaking down synaptic vesicles in which they are stored. Stimulant drugs like amphetamine and cocaine increase extracellular levels of dopamine. Found increased extracellular dopamine after admin drug. Chlorpromazine discovered to act as antagonist blocks dopamine receptors. Antipsychotic potency positively related to drug"s affinity for dopamine receptors. Haloperidol was a strong antipsychotic but had relatively low affinity for dopamine receptors. Led to the discovery of the multiple dopamine receptor subtypes.
