Biological explanation

Question 1

What is the genetic explanation of SZ?

Answer 1

• Candidate genes are individual genes associated with the risk of inheriting schizophrenia
• It is polygenic, a number of genes give an increased risk (108 seperate genetic variations)
• It is aetiologically heterogenous, different combinations of factors are linked to it

Question 2

What is the dopamine hypothesis (hyperdominergia)

Answer 2

• Hyperdopaminergia in the sub-cortex, means too much areas of the brain. (EG: Broca’s area is responsible for speech production. Leads to poverty of speech and or auditory hallucinations)
• High levels of dopamine activity results in positive symptoms of schizophrenia
• High levels of dopamine receptors in Broca’s area and auditory cortex

Question 4

What is the dopamine hypothesis (Hypodominergia)

Answer 4

• Hypodopaminergia in the cortex, too little in the cortex of the brain. (EG: prefrontal cortex is responsible for thinking and decision making. Leads to negative symptoms)
• A deficit in dopamine activity which leads to negative symptoms of schizophrenia