carlson Flashcards
what is the aim?
the aim of the research is to present the current view of the relationship between SZ and dopamine and to explore an alternative view about the relationship between SZ and a neurotransmitter called glutamate
what is glutamate?
a neurotransmitter that nerve cells use to send signals to other cells and exists in large quantities in the nervous system
what research was carried out by carleson?
it was a review, summing up the previous research so far and suggesting where it should go next as far as SZ is concerned
- he did not gather any new empirical data, and so such does not follow the standard process for reporting a study
what was investigated?
glutamate was investigated and the research focused on hypoglutamatergia to see whether low levels of glutamate played a part in SZ
- it is used in every major excitatory information-transmitting pathway in the brain
how did he reaffirm the dopamine hypothesis?
SZ ppts show more dopamine activity against controls especially in the basal ganglia.
- ppts complain most about the side effects while their symptoms are in remission as dopamine activity is returning to normal levels
why did carlson also focus on glutamate?
research suggests links between the use of PCP (angel dust) and psychotic SZ like symptoms
- instead of activating dopamine, they stimulate glutamate receptors called NMDA.
PCP blocks the receptor and is an NMDA receptor antagonist meaning reduces the amount of glutamate
- maybe the deficiency has a role in SZ
Miller and abercrombie show that release of dopamine is increased if glutamate activity is reduced
what does carlson suggest the relationship between glutamate and symptoms of SZ is?
glutamate deficiency in the cerebral cortex can cause negative symptoms and failure in the basal ganglia can cause positive symptoms
- but too much dopamine or too little glutamate reduces the defensive shield of the thalams which links to POSITIVE symptoms and abnormal dopamine and glutamate activity will overstimulate the thalamus = negative symptoms
what was carlson’s conclusion?
dopamine has a part to play in SZ, but other biological factors should be further researched, in particular other neurotransmitters e.g. GABA
