Question

A complication with many of the first-generation antipsychotics arises as a direct effect of the dopamine-blocking qualities of the medications. This blocking produces problems with the basal ganglia which, therefore, appears as:

a. Severe memory problems, specifically with consolidation

b. Fine movement disorders at rest and related movement disturbances

c. Psychotic agitation with preserved awareness of the disability

d. Gross sensory deficits, especially sensations from the upper body

Answer 1

1) Memory loss occurs as Typical Antagonistics drugs ( First generation antipsychotics) the dysfunction of one of the dopamine pathways that is Mesocortical pathway, this results in cognitive impairment & emotion disturbances.

2) Fine motor disorder occurs due to one of the side effects of these drugs that is EXTRA-PYRAMIDAL SYNDROME. This disorder has symptoms like dystonia, bradykinesia, tremor, akathisial motor restlessness.

Motor disorder is also caused due to blocking of D2 receptors in nigrostriatal pathway ( dopamine pathway)

3) psychotic agitation is common during use of these drugs as there is disturbance in emotions & affect due to these medications.

These medications cause emotional quieting that may result in psychotic agitation.

4) Gross sensory deficit may be as these medications causes inhibition of visual cover & orbito-frontal cortex due to increased serotonin levels, because these medications have high affinity for serotonin receptors which leads to release of high amounts of serotonin.