Etiology of Schizophrenia

The etiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia is not known

It is accepted, that schizophrenia is „the group of schizophrenias“ which origin is multifactorial: internal factors – genetic, inborn, biochemical external factors – trauma, infection of CNS, stress

Etiology of Schizophrenia - Dopamine Hypothesis

The most influential and plausible are the hypotheses, based on the supposed disorder of neurotransmission in the brain, derived mainly from

1. the effects of antipsychotic drugs that have in common the ability to inhibit the dopaminergic system by blocking action of dopamine in the brain

2. dopamine-releasing drugs (amphetamine, mescaline, diethyl amide of lysergic acid - LSD) that can induce state closely resembling paranoid schizophrenia

Classical dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia: Psychotic symptoms are related to dopaminergic hyperactivity in the brain. Hyperactivity of dopaminergic systems during schizophrenia is result of increased sensitivity and density of dopamine D2 receptors in the different parts of the brain.

Etiology of Schizophrenia - Contemporary Models Dopamine hypothesis revisited: various

neurotransmitter systems probably takes place in the etiology of schizophrenia (norepinephric, serotonergic, glutamatergic, some peptidergic systems); based on effects of atypical antipsychotics especially.

Contemporary models of schizophrenia conceptualize it as a neurocognitive disorder, with the various signs and symptoms reflecting the downstream effects of a more fundamental cognitive deficit: the symptoms of schizophrenia arise from “cognitive

dysmetria” (Nancy C. Andreasen) concept of schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder

(Daniel R. Weinberger)

Etiology of Schizophrenia - Neurodevelopmental Model

Neurodevelopmental model supposes in schizophrenia the presence of “silent lesion” in the brain, mostly in the parts, important for the development of integration (frontal, parietal and temporal), which is caused by different factors (genetic, inborn, infection, trauma...) during very early development of the brain in prenatal or early postnatal period of life.

It does not interfere too much with the basic brain functioning in early years, but expresses itself in the time, when the subject is stressed by demands of growing needs for integration, during formative years in adolescence and young adulthood.

Side Effects: EPS Extrapyramidal syndrome is a condition that causes

involuntary muscle movements or spasms that usually occur in the face and neck. It occurs when the release and re-uptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine is not regulated correctly. 

Muscle movement problems that may accompany extrapyramidal syndrome include constantly

smacking the lips moving the tongue, blinking, neck twitches and finger spasms. 

Neuroleptics

Generic name Brand names

Chlorprothixene Truxal

LevomepromazineLevium, Levomepromazine Neuraxph., Neurocil

PerazinePerazin Neuraxph., Taxilan

Promethazine

Atosil, Closin, Promethazin Neuraxph., Proneurin, Prothazin

Prothipendyl Dominal

SulpirideDogmatil, Dogmatyl, Sulpirid

ThioridazineMelleril, Thioridazin Neuraxph.Generic name Brand names

Zuclopenthixol Cisordinol, Clopixol

Mild Strength[edit]Medium Strength

Mild Strength

iMedium Strength

Strong Strength

Generic name Brand names

Perfenazine Trilafon

Generic name Brand names

BenperidolBenperidol Neuraxph., Glianimon

Bromperidol Impromen

Fluphenazine

decanoate

Anatensol, Dapotum D, Deconoat, Fludecate, Modecate, Prolixin Decanoate, Sinqualone

enanthate

Dapotum Injektion, Flunanthate, Moditen Enanthate Injection, Sinqualone Enantat

hydrochloride  

Dapotum, Permitil, Prolixin, Lyogen, Moditen, Omca, Sediten, Selecten, Sevinol, Siqualone, Trancin

FluspirilenFluspi, Fluspirilen Beta, Imap

Haloperidol Haldol, SerenasePimozide Orap

[Very Strong Strength

Aty

pic

al N

eu

role

pti

cs

Generic name Brand names

Amisulpride Solian

Aripiprazole Abilify

Asenapine Saphris

Benztropine Cogentin

BuspironeAnsial, Ansiced, Anxiron, Axoren, Bespar, Buspar, Buspimen, Buspinol, Buspisal, Narol

Chlorpromazine Largactil, Thorazine

Clozapine Clozaril, Fazaclo, Leponex

Flupenthixol Depixol, Fluanxol

Iloperidone Fanapt

Melperone Eunerpan, Melneurin

Olanzapine Zyprexa

Paliperidone Invega, Invega Sustenna

Penfluridol Semap

Quetiapine Seroquel

Risperidone Belivon, Risperdal, Risperdal Consta

Sertindole Serdolect, Serlect

Thiothixene Navane

TrifluoperazineEskazinyl, Eskazine, Jatroneural, Modalina, Stelazine, Terfluzine, Trifluoperaz, Triftazin

Ziprasidone Geodon, Zeldox

Zotepine Nipolept

Carbamazepine, Valproic acid sometimes used

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