Biological Explanation - Structural Abnormalities

Question 1

Explain enlarged ventricles…

Answer 1

Cavities that produce and transport cerebrospinal fluid that provide protection, buoyancy, and chemical stability to the brain and spine, which tend to be larger in those with schizophrenia

Daniel Weinberger et al (1979) conducted CAT scans on 56 schizophrenics and controls, where 53% of schizophrenic exceeded two standard deviations of the control’s mean score

Question 2

Explain cortical atrophy…

Answer 2

Caused by loss of neurons in the cerebral cortex, and when focused in a limited area it affects the cognitive functions of the area, widening grooves covering the cerebral cortex, which appears in 20-35% of schizophrenics

Antonio Vita et al (1988) used CAT scans to assess 124 schizophrenic individuals and 45 control participants, where 33% of those with schizophrenia showed moderate to severe atrophy

Question 3

Explain reversed cerebral asymmetry…

Answer 3

Some individuals with schizophrenia have notably larger right hemispheres, which is relevant to how damage or deterioration in the left hemisphere could lead to alogia

Daniel Luchens et al (1979) used CAT scans on 57 right handed schizophrenics and 80 right handed non-schizophrenics, where increased incidence of reversals in teh frontal and occipital lobe was found in those with schizophrenia with no other form of atrophy