biological explanations: neural correlates

Question 1

what neurotransmitter is important in the functioning of several brain systems related to the symptoms of SZ

Answer 1

dopamine

Question 2

what effects did using antipsychotic drugs on people cause

Answer 2

using antipsychotics caused symptoms similar to people with Parkinson’s disease (who have low DOPAMINE levels)

Question 3

what is the role of antipsychotics

Answer 3

to reduce dopamine levels

Question 4

what does the original dopamine hypothesis state the cause of SZ is

Answer 4

SZ may be due to high levels of dopamine (hyperdopaminergia) in subcortical areas of the brain

excess of DA receptors in pathways from sub cortex to Broca’s area may explain speech poverty and auditory hallucinations

Question 5

what 2 effects does subcortical hyperdopaminergia cause

Answer 5

speech poverty

auditory hallucinations

Question 6

what is dopamine

Answer 6

a neurotransmitter in your brain that makes you feel good

it’s role is to help you feel pleasure, motivation, satisfaction

Question 7

what is the role of dopamine

Answer 7

it’s role is to help you feel pleasure, motivation, satisfaction

Question 8

what dos the updated dopamine hypothesis state the cause of SZ is

Answer 8

• Davis et al (1991) proposed low DA levels in brains cortex (hypodopaminergia) causes the cognitive problems of SZ
• has been suggested that CORTICAL HYPODOPAMINERGIA leads to SUB CORTICAL HYPERDOPAMINERGIA
  = SZ is caused by high or low levels of dopamine in different areas of the brain

Question 9

what factors can make a person sensitive to cortical hypodopaminergia and subcortical hyperdopaminergia

Answer 9

genetic variations

early experiences of stress (both psychological + physical)

so this explains the origin of abnormal DA function