Clinical: Neutrotransmitter Explanation Flashcards
Define neurotransmitter
Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles which relay signals from one neuron to another.
How is schizophrenia linked to Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a condition caused by low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Chlorpromazine could alleviate symptoms for both conditions therefore schizophrenia may be linked to high levels of dopamine (hyperdopaminergia)
How could dopamine deficiency lead to schizophrenia?
Kenneth Davis et al
Suggested the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, e.g. hallucinations may result from excess of dopaminergic activity. Whereas, the negative symptoms may result from a lack of dopaminergic activity.
How does serotonin link to schizophrenia?
In the 2000s a drug called clozapine called into question, the original dopamine hypothesis. Clozapine binds to serotonin receptors and reduces both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms may be caused by irregular serotoninergic activity. However, this could still be linked to serotonin regulates dopamine levels.
What is the newest version of the dopamine hypothesis?
Proposed by Oliver howes who suggested dopamine dysregulation is the common pathway to psychosis. They focus on interactions between genetic, environmental and socio-cultural factors.
What is the supporting evidence of the neurotransmitter exclamation?
A lab study done on rats showed that when given amphetamine injections over three weeks, the rash showed schizophrenia like symptoms. Suggesting increased dopamine levels may be a cause of schizophrenia.
What is a weakness of the neuro transmitter explanation? Cultural.
They cannot explain why certain groups in society are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. For example, Wim Veling et al
Moroccan immigrants are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and Turkish immigrants. This suggests that environmental factors, such as social stress may interact with neurotransmitters, making some people more prone to psychosis.
What is the application of the neurotransmitter explanation?
It’s lead to effective drug treatments for people with schizophrenia. For example, clozapine block, serotonin receptors, and has been successful in treating both positive and negative symptoms, allowing people with schizophrenia to live in the community.
What happens when there is too much dopamine in the Mesolithic pathway?
Causes positive symptoms
What happened when there is too much dopamine in the meso cortical pathway?
Causes negative symptoms
