PSYB65H3 Lecture Notes - Antihypertensive Drug, Neurodegeneration, Schizophrenia
Document Summary
Psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, depression, mania, bipolar disorders. Classic neuropsychology: deals with brain and how each part of the brain works. Rate of schizophrenia appears to increase among family members. ~10-15% higher rate of schizophrenia: suggest genetic component, suggest environmental component. Parents act one way children act one way: twin studies. To find out if it is genetic or environmental. Suggests genetic component although other factors play a part. Poor performance on tests of frontal lobe function. Reduced ability in terms of verbal and non-verbal memory. Genetics: not isolated for one schizophrenic gene" but a family of genes, once activated, results in schizophrenia. Psychopharmacology: antihistamines used for colds, calmed down schizophrenics, certain drugs are better suited to treat schizophrenia. Effectiveness directly related to ability to block dopamine receptors. Receptor blockers most effective not dopamine itself: dopamine stimulants. Immediately become psychotic / schizophrenic: normal people. Looking at brains of schizophrenics: wait until they are dead.
