June 06, 2005

Antipsychotics start working quickly

Antipsychotic drugs improve psychosis in patients within 24 hours of treatment

Released May 26, 2005

May 26, 2005 (Toronto) For the first time, scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the University of Toronto have published research showing that antipsychotic drugs begin to improve psychosis in patients within the first 24 hours of treatment. This result is contrary to the prevailing assumption that it took two weeks for the drugs to have any effect on symptoms. Published in the May 2005 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, this discovery came as a result of analyzing brain scans from positron emission tomography data, and can direct future clinical research and theories on the antipsychotic effects of drugs.

"Our discovery could lead to improvements in the way antipsychotic drugs are prescribed to patients, and also help in simplifying the development of new improved antipsychotic medications," said Dr. Shitij Kapur, Vice President of Research at CAMH and the senior author of the study. "We were surprised to find that antipsychotic action in the brain may be more closely related to the blockade of dopamine transmission than originally thought. This suggests that simple dopamine receptor blockade can explain how antipsychotic drugs work, an area that has always been under debate."

In this study, 311 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia disorder were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or an antipsychotic medication such as olanzapine or haloperidol. Patients were monitored for changes in their behaviour once the drugs were administered, after 2 hours and then at 24 hours using structured rating scales called 'Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale' and 'Clinical Global Impressions'.

Analysis showed that a change in the patient's psychosis (which included conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, unusual thought content) was evident within the first 24 hours for both drugs.

"In addition to its implications for understanding the mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications, this study has important clinical implications. It suggests that physicians should be able to know within days, not weeks, whether these medications are working, and make changes to the dose or to the choice of medications on a much more rapid timeframe that is currently done," according to study co-author Dr. Robert Zipursky, Clinical Director of the Schizophrenia Program at CAMH and Tapscott Chair in Schizophrenia Studies at the University of Toronto.

The first drugs to be useful in treating the hallucinations and delusions of many patients with the psychotic disorder schizophrenia were discovered nearly 50 years ago. Since then, they have been conventionally accepted to help with psychosis, but that they had a "delayed onset" of 2-3 weeks or more. Contrary to this prevailing assumption, this new finding that drugs have a more immediate effect suggest that simple dopamine receptor blockade can explain how antipsychotic drugs work, a finding that can direct future theories and clinical research on antipsychotic medication.

CAMH is a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

Source: CAMH: Centre for Addiction & Mental Health


Comments

I think "dopamine receptor blockade" is an important effect, related to schizophrenia. It maybe more prevalent in persons who were athletes in high school,like track, and field. At the same time schizophrenics who consume coffee, alcohlol, or use illegal drugs, may create an ongoing rush of dopamine in the brain.
Even monthly consumption of alcohol or drugs may affect the dopamine receptor blockade. With the new atypical antipsychotic drugs, caffiene seems to have a major effect on dopamine, and the effectiveness of the medication.

Posted by: Ken at August 26, 2005 08:23 AM

I am majoring in Psy and Mental Health at Ryerson University. I tend to stress easily about things.
I am taking Zoloft which is like a "miracle" to me.
Can alot of stress trigger scizoprenia in people?

For Example: Not having enough money to pay your bills?

Posted by: Maria at January 25, 2006 02:43 PM

I am working on my 2nd Psycology course at Ryerson
University. (CPSY 202)
My Certificate Program is:
(MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS)
CPSY 102-INTRO TO PSY
CPSY 202-PSY 11
CPSY 315-PSY OF ADDICTIONS
CPSY 426-BEHAVIOURAL DIS.
CPSY 510-CLINICAL PSY
CPSY 625-DRUGS AND HUM BEH.
CPSY 725-CHILD DEV.
CPSY 810-DEV. PSYCHOP.
CPSY 910-PATH. OF MIND
CPSY 1000-COMMUNITY PSY.
I STOPPED GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO-WOODSWORTH COLLEGE IN 2002.
I KNOW THAT SCIZOPHRENIA IS A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE IN THE BRAIN LINKED TO DOPAMINE.
HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT
STRESSFUL LIFE SITUATIONS CAN TRIGGER MENTAL PROBLEMS
TOO. I DO BELIEVE THOUGH
THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO HELP THEMSELVES TOO. LIKE PREVENTING THOSE PROBLEMS.
I USE A PALM 23 COMPUTER/DAILY AGENDA TO KEEP ME ORGANIZED. I TAKE VACATIONS WHEN I FEEL BURNT OUT. I TAKE A SCHOOL BREAK FROM THE UNIVERSITY WHEN I NEED TOO. I GET PEDICURES IN THE SUMMER. IM NOT AN "EARLY BIRD" AT ALL! HATE GETTING UP FOR WORK IN THE MORNING.
WORKING EVENINGS NOW! WELL, MY POINT IS THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY PALM 23 KEEPING ME ORGANIZED AND I DIDN'T TAKE VACATIONS WHEN I NEEDED TO! I THINK IT WOULD LEAD TO AN ILLNESS OF SOME KIND! DO YOU THINK SO TOO! I WOULD BE SO DISORGANIZED WITHOUT MY PALM 23. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A DAILY CALENDAR AND WRITE YOUR APPOINTMENTS ON THERE AS WELL YOUR VACATIONS! I USE HIGHLIGHTERS ON MINE!
KEEP YOU ORGANIZED WITH YOUR LIFE!

Posted by: Maria at February 22, 2006 09:27 AM

I believe that people provoke "bad" moods in other people too. People don't like to take "no" for an answer. Double-standard ways of thinking connected to jealousy. Comparison with others and what other people do. Feel the need to dominate others and what others do. Not giving people their freedom and space.
Looking for control on others. "JEALOUSY"

Posted by: Anonymous at February 22, 2006 10:44 AM

A psychiatrist can determine is someone is scizophrenic or not? Right! What if a patient is being mentally abused at home! What then!
or getting tricked to believe they are ill when they are not ill! Mental abuse is quite common too! I believe some people get mentally abused too!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 22, 2006 02:33 PM

Dr. Zipursky is a wonderful doctor. I love Dr Zipursky with all my heart. He is a very good man!

Posted by: Maria at February 22, 2006 02:36 PM

Domestic Violence is an issue in our society. I think that anyone who is involved in domestic violence would suffer a mental problems because of thier trauma. I know some women who have been abused by their husbands and it affects their normal functioning because they start feeling scared of their husbands and makes them ill. They feel frightened to fight back and it causes them to be "mental"

Posted by: Maria at February 22, 2006 03:06 PM

Last Comment,
I believe that there is alot of pressure on people in life. Paying the bills, kids, going to work, keeping house, going to university...
I think people get tired of the pressures put on them!
Causes people to have breakdowns! Not everyone has an easy lifestyle! Some people are sleep deprived but have to be on the job anyway to pay the bills.
U know! People get sick of it! Being on the job everyday too! It is quite demanding!

Posted by: Maria at February 22, 2006 03:09 PM

Dr. RB Zipursky:

What does Zoloft do?
What does Zoloft Treat?
Does Zoloft Treat Scizophrenia at all?

Im Majoring in Mental Health and Addictions at Ryerson
University but I still have more to learn. Im taking
Sociology @ University of Toronto and then going back to Ryerson to finish my Certificate.

From: Maria

Posted by: Maria at May 6, 2006 12:04 PM

Do you think that having too many kids can cause any sort of mental problems?
I know of post partum depression after having kids. I think there are alot
of emotions going on when your mothering. I think its like a whole different thing. Psychologically, emotionally and physically. What do you think?
Pressure of being there for you kids. Mothers feel alot of responsibility towards their children could mothering cause breakdowns or mental stress?
Too much to handle?
Well, my mother was a wonderful mother. I love my mother with all my heart.
My mother had four children and she was the greatest. I will love my mother
forever! My mother was always there for us and she was truly a wonderful person. MOTHERS DESERVE TO BE RESPECTED ALWAYS!

FROM: MARIA
42 OAK PARK AVE

Posted by: Maria Lisa Cicciarella at August 26, 2006 06:24 PM

Scizophrenia is treatable.

From: Maria Elisa Cicciarello
222 Oak Park Ave
Toronto On M3C4L9

Posted by: Maria Elisa Cicciarello at December 10, 2007 12:52 AM

can anyone give me some advice.i.ve just started working as a support worker in mental health and would like to know how alcahol and caffine affects the use of antiscicotic drugs.and how/what would the best advice for the people that i,m trying to support

Posted by: paul at January 20, 2008 11:22 AM

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