Question

1. Describe briefly the aetiology of schizophrenia.
2. Explain the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.
3. Outline the options available for the treatment of this disease and give a detailed description of the use your chosen therapeutic agent.

Answer 1

a. The cause of schizophrenia diseases is the combination of environment, genetics, decreased participation or behaviour in daily activities and the altered brain chemistry.

It is the chronic brain disorder that caused by the combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition.

b. The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia or psychosis is a model that attributes the schizophrenia' positive symptoms to a disturbed and hyperactive dopaminergic signal transduction.

This dopamine hypothesis argues that, the unusual behaviours and experiences associated with schizophrenia disease, that can be fully or largely explained by changes in function of dopamine in the brain.

c. The schizophrenia treatment is usually lifelong and it involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated speciality care services.

The main tratement for schizophrenia includes antipsychotic medications: drugs and are thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine. It is usually treated with individually tailored combination of therapy and medicines.

The D-Serine or drugs: chlorpromazine and haloperidol are effective in the treatment for the schizophrenia symptoms. Drug therapies for schizophrenia symptoms should be continued for at least 12 months or 1 year after the remission of the first psychotic episode of the disease.