Biological Explanations of Schizophrenia - The Dopamine Hypothesis Flashcards
what can the dopamine hypothesis be used as?
a neural correlate for Sz
what is dopamine?
neurotransmitter involved in the brain
what levels of dopamine are associated with symptoms of Sz?
too much + too little
depending on the brain area involved
what are the 2 versions of the dopamine hypothesis?
hypErdopaminergia
hypOdoperminergia
what is the old dopamine hypothesis called?
hypErdopaminergia
what is the new dopamine hypothesis called?
hypOdoperminergia
what does the old version look at?
high dopamine activity levels
old
what is the brain area involved?
sub cortex / central areas
e.g brocas area
old
function of brocas area
speech production
old
symptoms of Sz that may be involved
auditory hallucinations
positive symptoms
what does the new version look at?
low levels of dopamine activity
new
what is the brain area involved?
prefrontal cortex
new
function of prefrontal cortex
thinking
decision making
new
symptoms of Sz that may be involved
negative symptoms
summary of hypErdopaminergia
extra dopamine = extra experiences (positive symptoms)
brocas area
