Behavioural Models of Psychosis

Abstract

Studies on the biological basis of psychosis are currently being conducted in a variety of disciplines and using a wide range of techniques (Smythies, 1968). These include studies of the basic mechanism of action of drugs which mimic, exacerbate or ameliorate psychosis. A major sub-section of the field is composed of structure-activity relationship (S.A.R.) studies in which we determine what effect the systematic manipulation of the molecular structure has on the activity of a drug. In this way valuable data can be obtained as to its possible mode of action. This in turn may suggest hypotheses as to the biochemical lesions in the naturally occurring psychoses. Secondly, specific behavioural responses can be made the dependent variable we measure in experiments where the levels of brain amines, activity of brain enzymes, etc., can be manipulated by any of the many techniques now available.