People with schizophrenia need support from their families and people around them. There is no absolute cure for the disease, but there are ways to help them overcoming the symptoms and preventing a recurrence of the symptoms. When talking about schizophrenia, I think about these: first, the pathology of dopamine pathways. Second, the first agents–reserpine and chlopromazine that was found to alleviate the symptoms since 1950’s, and they are called typical antipsychotic drugs. Third, atypical antipsychotic drugs which are newer agents that have less side effects than the typical one. Fourth, the side effects of antipsychotic medications. Fifth, the drug interactions with this type of medication. And the lastly, sixth, how long people with schizophrenia should take the medications.
Many books use slightly different terminology for dopamine (DA) pathways; however, they base on the same concept in which the pathways are named after the area of the brain that neurons that release DA innervate. Here is the illustration borrowed from the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah.
[LEFT] The first–nigrostriatal pathway–extends from the substantia nigra to the caudate nucleus-putamen (neostriatum) and is concerned with sensory stimuli and movement. The death of neurons in this pathway can result in Parkinson’s disease.
[MIDDLE] The second–mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway–projects from the ventral tegmentum to the mesolimbic forebrain and is thought to be associated with memory, motivation, emotional response, reward, desire, and addiction. Pathology in this area causes schizophrenia.
[RIGHT] The third pathway, known as the tubero-infundibular system, extends from hypothalamus to pituitary gland, and is responsible for hormone regulation, maternal behavior (nurturing), pregnancy and sensory processes.
Now we know that the pathology in the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway causes schizophrenia. Tomorrow I am going to write about DA theory in the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway and how typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs act on this pathway.
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