Biological explanation of schizophrenia: Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Which study supports the explanation by using amphetamine induced rats?
Tenn et al (2003) found that rats given nine amphetamine injections over three weeks showed various schizophrenia like symptoms.
Dopamine antagonists (drugs that block D1 receptors) successfully reversed these effects.
This evidence suggests that increased dopamine levels may be a cause of schizophrenia in humans.
Who provided support for the role of D2 receptors?
Snyder (1985) found that chlorpromazine is an antagonist at many dopamine receptors (D1 and D2) and has an antipsychotic effect.
This evidence suggests that excess activity at specific dopamine receptors is implicated in development of symptoms.
Why are second generation immigrants are weakness to the biological explanation of schizophrenia?
Veling et al (2008) showed that Moroccan immigrants were more likely to be diagnosed than Turkish immigrants.
This suggests environmental factors (social stress) may interact with internal neurochemistry making some people more prone to psychosis.
What application value does the research into neurotransmitters and schizophrenia have?
It has led to drug treatments and shows that dopamine antagonists binding to D2 receptors can successfully reduce positive symptoms.
Give a further strength using application value?
Atypical drugs such as Clozapine also blocks serotonin receptors and have been successful in treating both positive and negative symptoms.
This means that people can live in the community without the need for residential care because their symtpoms are controlled.
How does the neurotransmitter explanation link to issues and debates?
Biological explanation may be reductionist: a complex disorder involving multiple symptoms is explained in terms of the action of one neurotransmitter.
Therefore, explanations that focus solely on dopamine are unlikely to represent the full nature of schizophrenia.
