Discussion post Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Module 1 – Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
This will provide a more detailed summary of pharmacological treatment guidelines and 1.The prevailing hypothesis for schizophrenia implicates the neurotransmitter dopamine as playing a key role in the development of the disease. Dopamine acts on several areas of the brain with differing effects. Please outline the key dopamine pathways and the implications of antipsychotic use on each pathway.
2. PA is a 18 yo male college student brought in by police after being found running on the highway. He is extremely paranoid and reports that the mafia is coming for him. When asked, he does admit to auditory hallucinations, mostly a commanding male voice telling him to hurt himself and his family. All pertinent labs and vitals are WNL, urine drug screen is negative. He is admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric unit for his first psychotic episode. He still lives with his parents and his father reports that over the past several months he has secluded himself to his room and can hear him talking “with someone” every once in a while. His father denies any previous medical or psychiatric history for PA and he is not currently taking any medications. He does report the following family history: DM2, dyslipidemia (father, paternal grandfather), schizophrenia (maternal aunt).
What treatment do you recommend for PA’s first psychotic episode? Be specific in your answer and support your choice with neurobiologic rationale. Please also consider the pros and cons of each medication.
Post your initial response by Wednesday at midnight. Response must be a minimum of 275 words, scholarly written, APA formatted, and referenced. A minimum of 2 references are required (other than your text). Refer to the Grading Rubric for Online Discussion in the Course Resource section.
important information about medications (adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, etc.