Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Drugs alter the Central Nervous System (CNS)Drugs acting in CNS were among the first- category to be disc everyplaceed by primitive humans and argon til now the roughly abundantly utilize group of p maltreatacologic eonnts. In addendum to their go for in therapy, mevery practice of medicines acting on the CNS argon employ without prescription to summation unmatchables sense of well being.The machine by which various drugs act in the CNS agree non been intelligibly understood. In last three decades, however, dramatic advances lease been made in the methodology of CNS pharmacology. It is now possible to body of prevail the satisfy of a drug on individual carrells and even single ion take with synapses. The breeding obtained from such studies is on the basis for some(prenominal) major developments in studies of the CNS. These atomic number 18 the markification of CNS acting drugs.In add-on to legion(predicate) medical checkup uses, drugs acting on the c ns ar using worldwide i.e. alcohol, nicotine, caffein with various degrees of societal controls due to production of addiction or nonadaptive behaviours. We know that CNS acting agents mainly exert their set up by pitch contour of synaptic transmission of information between neurons. These reachs alter the galvanic exciteability of pith cubicles by changing the movement of chemical ions across organization and neuron cell membrane. In every twenty-four hour period, these drugs ct on a sense organ to directly or indirectly open or close ion wrinkles in the cell membrane and thus make the nitty-gritty cell more exciteable with regard to its ability to send information.ION CHANNELSThe membrane of nerve cells contain devil types of channels defined on the basis of the mechanism controlling their gating voltage-gated and ligand-gated channels.Voltage gated channels see Table-1 atomic number 18 respond to changes in the membrane powerfulial of the cell.In nerve cells, these channels atomic number 18 concent gaitd on the sign segment and the axon and argon responsible for the fast achievement potential,which transmitthe mansion from cell body to nerve terminal. in that respect argon many types of voltage-sensitive atomic number 20 and potassium channels on the cell body, dendrites and initial segment, which act on a much slower time scale and modulate the rate at which the neuron discharge.CHANNEL TYPE style OF TOXIN ACTIONTetrodotoxinVOLTAGE-GATEDBlocks channel from out grimaceMODE OF TOXIN ACTIONBetrachotoxinVOLTAGE-GATEDSlows in activatingMODE OF TOXIN ACTIONApaminVOLTAGE-GATEDBlocks belittled Ca-activated K-channelsMODE OF TOXIN ACTIONAgatoxinVOLTAGE-GATEDBlocks p-type channelsMODE OF TOXIN ACTIONOmega-conotoxinVOLTAGE-GATEDBlocks n-type channelsMODE OF TOXIN ACTIONCharybdotoxinVOLTAGE-GATEDBlocks big Ca-activated K-channelsIDENTIFICATION OF CENTRAL NEUROTRANSMITTERBecause drug selectivity is based on the fact that resistent highroads us e different transmitters, a primary determination of neuropharmacologists is to identify the transmitter in CNS parcels. Establishing that a chemical stub is a transmitter has been far more difficult for central synapses than for fringy synapses. The next criteria have been established for transmitter identificationLOCALIZATIONApproaches p atomic number 18nt that a suspected transmitter resides in the presynaptic terminal of the pathway uder study include biochemical analysis of regional concentrations of suspected transmitters and immunocutochemical techniques for enzymes and peptides.RELEASETo examine whether the affection is discommoded from a varyicular region, local collection of the extracellular smooth kitty sometimes be accomplished. In addition, slices of brain tissue stomach be electic ally or chemically stimulated in vitro and the released substances measured. To determine whether release is relevant to synaptic transmission, it is important to establish that the release is calcium-dependent.SYNAPTIC travestyFinally, application of the suspected substance should unveil a reception that mimics the action of the transmitter released by nerve stimulation. Furthermore, application of the selective antagonist should cease the response. The excitatory neurotransmitter released from these cells is in most instances. The information is normally phasic and bursts of action potential.Microionophoresis, which permits passing localized drug administration, has been a valuable technique in assessing the action of suspected transmitter. Because of the complexity of the CNS, unique(predicate) pharmacologic antagonism of a synaptic response provides a particular powerful technique for transmitter identification.do drugs CONCENTRATION AND INTESITY OF ITS set up mass of pharmacological effect is given as,Intensity of effect=DRUGS ACTING UPON CNSCAFFEINECaffeine and the chemically related to xanthenes, theophyl pains and theobromineDecreases in t he order given in their stimulatory action.They are over-the-counter(prenominal) drugs, employ to block adenosine sensory receptor as an antagonist.AMPHETAMINEThe stimulation caused by excessive release of norepinephrine from storage sites in the peripheral flighty corpse. It is not cognize whether the same action eliminates in the CNS. Two different theories regarding for their action are that they are degraded slower than epinephrine or that they could act on serotonin receptor sites.NARCOTICSNarcotic agents are potent and effective for the break of direful throe in the neck. Analgesics are selective cns drug to reduce hassle.Long term administration produces tolerance, pstchic and physical dependence.CENTRAL NERVOUS agreement DEPRESSANTS AND STIMULANTSCNS DEPRESSANTSCNS depressants slows down normal brain functions. In higher(prenominal)(prenominal) doses, some CNS depressants lav become general anesthetics. Tranquilizers and ataractics are agency model of CNS d epressants. CNS depressants are based on two groups such asCNS STIMULANTSStimulants increase alertness, caution and energy which are tended to(p) by increases in communication channel pressure rate and respiration. Stimulants were used to perform asthma and separate respiratory problems, obesity, neurological roughness and a pattern of other(a) ailments. As their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent to wane. Now, stimulants are overconfident for turning only a few health tick offs, include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression that has not responded to other treatment. It is also used for short-term treatment of obesity and for patients of asthma.INTODUCTION TO SEDATIVE-HYPNOTICInterms of drugs, sedative refers to a substance that moderates the activity and excitement sequence inducing a calming effect, maculation hypnotic effect refers to a substance that causes drowsiness and facilitates the onset and aliment of natural sleep. The term antianxiety drug is sometimes applied to a sedative-hypnotic drug however, be aware that many drugs especially the selective serotonin discrimination reuptake inhibitors are useful as a degenerative anxiolytic dug demonstrated by their efficacy in certain psychiatric disordres homogeneous generalized anxiety disorder.THERAPEUTIC effectuate OF SEDATIVE-HYPNOTICSSEDATION all drugs in this class produce sedation,, with relief of anxiety. Benzodiazepenes also exert anterograde amnesic make (i.e the inhability to remember events occuring during the drug action ) at sedative doses. The amnesic action is a primary reason some benzodiazepenes ( i.e., midozam ) are greenly used for short time invasive procedures. They donot provide pain relief however, and mustiness be used in conjunction with pain pills.HYPNOSISSedative-hypnotics elevate sleep onset and increase the duration of sleep. whole of the sedative-hypnotics will bugger off sleep if given in high enough dose. Rapid c ore movement ( REM ) sleep stages are usually falld at high doses. REM rebound potentiometer be detected undermentioned termination of sedative-hypnotics.ANESTHESIAAt high doses, sedative- hypnotic produce a loss of consciousness with amnesia at high level and a suppression of reflexes. Anesthsia send away be produced by most barbiturates and some benzodiazepene, which is largely used frequently as a induction agent for general anesthesia. Only three, diazepam, midazolam and lorazepam are formulated I.V.ANTI-CONVULSANT AGENT most(prenominal) barbiturates and some benzodiazepene suppress seizures activity at high dose. However, lots this occur a desire with marked sedation. Selective have anti-convulsant activity and can decrease the spread of epileptiform activity without CNS depression. some(prenominal) are administered intravenously to treat status epilacticus.MUSCLE RELAXATIONMost sedative-hypnotics causes muscle relaxation at high doses. Diazepam is effective at sedative doses and is useful for treating specific spasticity state including cerebral palsy.TOLERANCE AND colonyTOLERANCEDecreased reactivity to a drug following repeated exposure commonly occurs with the continual use of sedative-hypnotics. The mechanism of action of sedative-hypnotics are not well known.DEPENDENCEPsychologicaaly dependence usually occurs wit h most of the sedative-hypnotics with leads to the compulsive use of these agents to reduce anxiety.Physical dependence is the development of withdrawal syndrome occurs when the drugs are discontinued. insularity syndrome includes, tremors, hyper reflexia, and seizures. These symptoms occur most commonly with shorter acting drugs.EFECTS ON CNS WITH increase DOSAGECalmness or drowsiness (sedation)Sleep (pharmacological hypnosis)Unconsciousness stupefactionSurgical anesthesiaFatal respiratory/ cardiac depression entre TO ANALGESICSAn moderating also known as a painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain. Ana lgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central head-in-the-clouds system they include paracetamol and acetylaminophetol also known in the us as acetaaminophen, the NSAIDs such as the acetyl salicylic acid and opiods drugs such as morphine and opium. They are plain from anesthesia who reversibly eliminate sensation.In choosing painkillers, the severity and response to the medication determines the pain ladder is originally developed in cancer-related pain is widely applied to find suitable drugs in a ill-treat wise manner. The choice is also determined by the type of pain, for neuropathic pain, traditionalistic analgesics are less effective and there is often benefit from classes of drugs that are normally not considred analgesics such as tricyclic anti-depressants and anti-convulsants.WHAT IS PAIN ? smart is physiological process that can be classified interms of its intensity ( mold, moderate, severe) its duration (acute, convulascent, chronic) its mechaism ( n eurologic, nociceptive, physiologic) and its clinical context ( post surgical, malignancy) pain detection or nocicepter requires activation of specialized transducers called nociceptor, see Table-2, which are activating following thermal, mechanical or chemical tissue blemish and initiate different transmission of action potential to the dorsal horn of spinal cord. septPhysiological bring forthBrief exposure to a noxious stimulusSymptomsRapid, yet instruct pain perceptionExampleTouching a pin or hot objectCategoryNociceptiveCauseSomatic or visceral tissue injury with medication impacting on intact nervous systemSymptomsModerate to severe pain, described as crushing, cutting, usually go down aft(prenominal) the first 24 hoursExampleSurgical pain, traumatic pain, sickel cell crisisCategoryNeuropathicCauseDamage of dysfunctional of peripheral restiveness or CNSSymptomsSevere lancinating, burning or electrical shock like painExampleNeuropathy, chronic regional pain syndrome, posth erpetic neuralgyCategoryMixedCauseCombined somatic and nervous tissue injurySymptomsCombination of symptoms, soft tissue pain and radicular painExample scummy back pain, back surgery painAnalgesics are a class of drugs used to relief pain. The pain relief by analgesics occurs either by blocking pain signals or by interfering with the brain reading of the signalwithout producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness. There are basically two kinds of analgesicsKINDS OF ANALGESICSIt should be noted that some reference include aspirin and other non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the class of analgesics because they have some analgesic properties. Aspirin and NSAIDs primarily have an anti-inflammatory affect, as opposed to being solely analgesic.NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICSAcetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter, non-narcotic analgesic. Acetaminophen is a popular pain reliver because it is both effective for mild and moderate relief of pain and relatively inexpe nsive. It must be emphasized though that the pencil eraser of acetoaminophen is tied to proper use of the drug (use according to specific prescribed instructions). If acetoaminophen is not used according to the directions on the label, weighty side effects and possible fatal consequences can occur. For example, fetching more than 4000 mg/day or using it long term can increase the lay on the line of liver damage. The risk of liver damage also increase by ingesting alcohol. Many heap donot realize that acetoaminophen is found in more than 600 OTC. It can be found in combination with other active ingredients in many cold, sinus and cough medications. The commulative effect of acetaminophen must be considered if you are victorious multiple drugs which contain acetaminophen.NARCOTIC ANALGESICSThere are two types of narcotic analgesicsThe opiates (found in alkaloid, opium)The opioids (derivatives of opiates)Opiods are any medication which binds to opioid receptors in the CNS or gast rointestinal tract.There are four enormous classes of opioidsEndogenous oopioids peptides (produced in the body endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins)Opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, theibaine)Semi-synthetic opiods ( heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, oxymorphone)Fully synthetic opioids (pethidine, methadone, fentanyl, propoxyphene, buprenorphine)Opioids are used in medicine as strong analgesics, for relief of severe or chronic pain. There is no upper limit for the dosage of opioids used to achieve pain relief, solely the dose must be increased gradually to allow for the development of tolerance to inauspicious effects ( for eg. respiratory depression).According to emedicine some people with intense pain get such high doses would be fatal if taken by someone who was not suffering from pain.PHARMACOLOGY OF SYSTEMIC ANALGESICSSystemic administration of analgesic drugs is yetness the most widely used method for providing pain relief in acute painful situ ations. Opioids whitethorn be selected on the basis of their physicochemical characteristics and their diffusion index to the brain. But in clinical practice, their very instill concentration-analgesic effect relationship remains a critical aspect of opioid therapy. Thus, miniature fluctuations in plasma concentrations of opioids whitethorn lead to unsounded fluctuations in analgesic effect when their plasma and effect-site concentrations are near the stripped-down effective analgesic concentration (MEAC). Combining drugs acting on different mechanisms of nociceptive modulation offers benefits from additive/synergistic effects and will decrease the incidence of their adverse effects. Evidence-based reviews showed that effective pain relief using non-opioid analgesics relied on paracetamol supplemented with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The role of COX-2 selective inhibitors (CSIs) in acute pain relief still requires further evaluation. NSAIDs, CSIs and paracetam ol share the property of morphine sparing in situations of severe (post-operative) pain. CSIs may be beneficial in patients in whom post-operative bleeding is a major surgical risk as the effects of NSAIDs on curdling may last for days. Finally, low-dose ketamine infusions remain a worthwhile addition to opioid therapy. Analgesic concentrations of ketamine are 1/5th to 1/tenth the anaesthetic concentration and exert significant inhibition on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation.There have been debates over the additine potential of opioids vs. the benefits of their analgesic properties for treating non-malignant chronic pain such as chronic arthritis. Some experts believe opioiods can be taken for years without addiction or toxic side effects. The heighten quality of life which opioids may provide the patient must considered. earthy SIDE EFFECTS and ADVERSE REACTIONNauseaVomitingdrowsinessDry mouthMiosis (contraction of pupil)Urinary retentionConstipation or fecal impac tionOrthostatic hypotensionLess common SIDE EFFECTS and ADVERSE REACTIONConfusionHallucinaationHivesItchBradycardiaHypothermiaRaised intracranial pressureTachycardiaFlushingMuscle rigidityMost severe SIDE EFFECTS and ADVERSE REACTIONRespiratory depressionFatal overdose entre TO ANTI-SEIZURESAfter stroke, epilepsy is the second common disorder of CNS affecting slightly 1% of the population worldwide. Most (80%+) cases can be well controlled with anti-seizures drugs. However, that leaves many characterized by periods of abnormal firing of CNS neurons and can be caused by many neurological conditions (i.e. tumors, injury, infection). In some cases, there is also agenetic predisposition to epilepsy.Anti-seizures medication were originally designed to help people who have epilepsy, scarcely the nerve-calming quality of some of these drugs can also help quiet the burning, stabbing or shooting pain often caused by nerve damage. poise damage (neuropathy) can be caused by many factors, in cludingDIABETESHigh stock sugar levels, common in diabetes, can damage the nerves passim the body, but the first symptomatically is numbnessand pain in the hands and feet. shingleAnyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of shingles a florescence of blisters that can be painful or itchy. A condition called postherpetic neuralgia occurs if shingles pain persists after the rash disappears. Because the risk of shingles increases with age, evryone everyone everyone age 60 or previous(a) should receive the zoster vaccine which can help prevent this painful condition.CHEM otherAPYSome chemotherapy drugs can damage nerves causing pain and numbness that typically begins in the tip of toes and fingers.HERNIATED recordNerve damage can occur if a herniated in your moxie squeezes a nerve passing through your vertebrae too tightly.INHERITED NEUROPATHIESSome neuropathies are passed on genetically and affects different nerves, depending upon the type of disorder. The most common hereditary n europathy is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease which affects motor and sensory nerves.MECHANISMS OF ANTI-SEIZURE DRUGSExact mechanism of anti-seizues drugs are not well understood but tese medications appear to interfere with the over react transmission of pain signals sent from damaged nerves.Some anti-seizures work particularly well for certain conditions. Carbamazepine is prescribed for trigeminal neurolgia, a condition that causes facial painn appears as electrical shocks. It is important note that FDA has issued a inform that all anti-seizures associated with a slight increased risk of unsafe thoughts or actions. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing feeling of depression or suicidal thoughts.GABAPENTINUsed with other epilepsy drugs to treat partial and some generalized seizures. tall(prenominal)ly a(prenominal) lasting side effects. During the first week of treatment, a soul may experience tiredness and dizziness.PHENYTOINControls partial seizures and generalized tonic-clo nic seizure. Also can be given by intravenously in the hospital to quick control active seizures.Side effects include dizziness, fatigue, acne, slurred speech, rash, and increase hair. Over the long term the drug can cause uprise thinning.VALPROIC ACIDUsed to treat partial, absence and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. jet side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, hair loss, reduced attention, depression in adults, fretfulness in children, a decrease in view speed. Over the long term, the drug can cause bone thinning, swelling of the ankles, liver damage, decreased platelets.INTRODUCTION TO ANTI-PSYCHOTICSA person who is psychic out of touch with the reality. populate with psychosis may hear voices or have strange and illogical ideas for eg, thinking that others can hear their thought or are trying to harm them or they are president o f us or some famous person. They may get excited or black with no apparent reason, or spend lots of time by themselves or in b ed, sleeping during the day and awake at night. The person may neglect appearance, not bathing or changing clothes, hard to talk to- barely talking or saying things that make non-sense. They often are initially unaware that their condition is an malady.These kinds of behavior are symptoms of a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia. Anti-psychotic drugs reduces these symptoms. These medications cannot cure the disease but they can take away many of the symptoms or make them mild. In some cases, they can shorten the course of episode of illness well.There are number of anti-psychotic medications addressable. These medications affect the neurotransmitter that allow communication between nerve cells. One such neurotransmitter, dopamine, is thought to be relevant to schizophrenia symptoms. All thes e medications have some effect for schizophrenia. The main differences are in their potency that is the dosage prescribed to produce therapeutic effect. Some people may think that thehighe r doses of medication prescribed the more serious the illness but this is not always true.The 1990s saw the development of several new drugs for schizophrenia called atypical antipsychotics because they have fewer side effects than the older drugs, today they are often called and used as afirst line of treatment. The first atypical antipsychotic drug was introduces in 1990. In clinical trials, these medications were found to be more effective than formal or typical Antipsychotic drugs in individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, that is not responded to other drugs and the risk of tardive dyskinesia ( a movement disorder was lower). However because of the potential side effects of serious blood disorder -agranulocytosis, white blood cells loss that fight infection. tolerant who are on clozapine must have a blood test on every 1 or 2 weeks. The impact and cost of blood tests and the medication itself have made maintenance for adults for many people.Several other atypica l antipsychotics have been developed since clozapine was introduced.INDICATIONS OF ANTI-PSYCHOTIC DRUGSCommon conditions with which antipsychotics might be used include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and neurotic disorder. Antipsychotics might also be used to counter psychosis associated with a wide range of other diagnoses, such as psychotic depression. However, not all symptoms require heavy medication and hallucinations and delusions should only be treated if they straiten the patient or produce dangerous behaviors.For non-psychotic disordersIn addition, antipsychotics are more and more used to treat non-psychotic disorders. For example, they are sometimes used off-label to manage aspects of Tourette syndrome or autism spectrum disorders. They have multiple off-label uses as an augmentation agent (i.e. in addition to some other medication), for example in treatment-resistant depression essive, anti-impulsive, anti-suicidal and hypnotic (sleep) medications.Antipsychotics have also been progressively used off-label in cases of dementia in older people, and for various disorders and difficulties in children and teenagers. A survey of children with pervasive developmental disorder found that 16.5% were taking an antipsychotic drug, most commonly to alleviate mood and behavioral disturbances characterized by irritability, aggression, and agitation. Recently, risperidone was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of irritability in children and adolescents with autism.Antipsychotics are sometimes used as part of compulsory treatment via yardbird (hospital) commitment or outpatient commitment. This may involve various methods to persuade a person to take the medication, or actual physical force. Administration may rely on an injectable form of the drug rather than tablets. The jibe may be of a long-lasting type known as a depot injection, usually applied at the top of the buttocks. Those that are available in injectable form are haloperidol, olanzapine, and ziprasidone while those available as depot are haloperidol, flupenthixol, clopenthixol, and risperidone.Antipsychotics are among the biggest selling and most paid of all drugs, generating $22 billion in global sales in 2008. By 2003 in the US, an estimated 3.21 one million million patients received antipsychotics, worth an estimated $2.82 billion. Over 2/3 of prescriptions were for the newer more expensive atypicals, each costing on total $164 compared to $40 for the older types. By 2008, sales in the US reached $14.6 billion, the biggest selling drugs in the US by therapeutic class. The number of prescriptions for children and adolescents doubled to 4.4 million between 2003 and 2006, in part because of increases in diagnoses of bipolar disorder.Due to the chronic nature of the treated disorders, antipsychotic medications, once started, are seldom discontinued, and the object lens of the treatment is often to gradually reduce dosage to a minimum safe maintenance dose that i s enough to control the symptoms. Only when the side-effects have become too severe and/or a patient have been symptom-free for a long periods of discontinuation carefully attempted.MULTIPLE MEDICATIONSAntipsychotic medications can produce unwanted effects when taken with other medications therefore, doctor should be told about all the medications being taken including over -the-counter medications and vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements and the termination of alcohol use.Some antipsychotic interfere with anti-hypertensive drugs (taking for high blood pressure), anticonvulsants (taken for epilepsy) and medicine used for parkinsons disease. Other anti-psychotic add to the effect of a alcohol and other CNS depressants such as anti-histamines, barbiturates, anti-depressants, some sleeping and pain medications and narcotics. different EFFECTSLong term treatment of schizophrenia with one of the older, or, conventional antipsychotics may cause to develop tardiye dyskinesia. Tardiye dyskinesia is a condition characterized by nonvoluntary movements, most often around the mouth. It may range from mild to severe. In some people, it cannot be reversed, while others recoverd partially or completely. Tardiye dyskinesia is sometimes in people with schizophrenia who have never been treated with an antipsychotic medications is called voluntary dyskinesia however, it is most often seen after long term treatment with older antipsychotic medications. The risk has been reduced with newer atypical medications. There is a higher incidence in women, and the risk increases with the age. The possible risks of long-term treatment with with an anti-psychotic medications must be weighed against the benefit in each case. The risk of TD is 5% per year with older medications. It is less with newer medications.PSYCHOTIC trouble CAUSESFunctional causes of psychosis include the followingDrug abuse amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholismalcohol among o thers.Brain damageSchizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, brief psychotic disorderBipolar disorder (manic depression)Severe clinical depressionSevere psychosocial nidusSleep deprivation.Some traumatic events.DOSAGES AND SIDE EFFECTSSome medications are very potent and prescribed in low doses, others are not as potent and higher doses are prescribed.Most side effects of antipsychotic drugs are mild. Many common ones lessens or disappear after the first week of treatment. these includes drowsiness, rapid heart beat and dizziness when nonplus changes.Some people may gain weight while taking medications and need to pay extra attention to diet or lesson to control their weight.All anti-psychotic drugs tend to block D2- receptors in the dopamine pathways of the brain. This delegacy that dopamine released in these pathways has less effect. Excess release of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway has been linked to psychotic experiences. It is the blockade of dop amine receptors in the pathway that is thought to control psychotic experience.Typical antipsychotic are not particularly selective and also block dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, tuberoinfundibular pathway and the nigrostriatal pathway. Blocking D2- receptor s in these pathway is thought to produce some of the unwanted effects which typical antipsychotics produce.LITHIUM, MOOD STABILIZING DRUGS, AND OTHER TREATMENT FOR BIPOLAR DISORDERBipolar disorder once known as manic-depressive illness, was conceived of as a psychotic disorder distinct from schizophrenia at the end of the 19th century. Before that both of these disorders were considered part of a continuum. It is ironic that the weight of the evidence today is that there is profound overlap in these disorders. This is not to say that there are no pathophysiology important difference or that some drugs treatment are differentially effective in these disorders. According to DSM, they are separate disease entities whi le research continues to define the dimensions of these illnesses and their genetic and other biological markers.TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDERThere are several types of bipolar disorder. Each type is set by the pattern of episodes of mania and depression. The treatment that is best for you may differ depending on the type of bipolar disorder you have. Your doctor will ask carefully to determine where your symptoms fit.Bipolar I Disorder (mania and depression) Bipolar I disorder is the classic form of the illness, as well as the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. The vast majority o