Dopamine Evaluation Flashcards
1 Strength is…
- Research support Griffith et al
Induced psychosis, dextro-amphetamine
Volunteers= onset of paranoid delusions and detatched emotional responses - Suggests link between dopamine levels and schizophrenia
Supports Dopamine Hyp
H/O- question val of findings due to difficulty measuring metabolites, only accessible via lumber puncture
1 Strength is..
Antipsych medication works to readdress dop imbalances in patients reducing symptoms of schizophrenia - supports dopamine hypothesis. Supported by randomised controlled trials
1 Strength is…
Dop Hyp- Deterministic
Determine cause= dop imbalances
Determine treatment= antipsychotic med
1 Weakness…
Inability to accurately measure neurotransmitters- therefore research relies on measurement of metabolites.
NT= broken down into metabolites, metabs can be measured in the cerebrospinal fluid, via lumber puncture.
Ppts diet and drug use can srsly effect results- reducing validity + results difficult to interpret as there is so much variation between people
1 Weakness…
Serotonin also implicated in schiz, may be too simplstic.
Conventional antipsychs= block D2 receptors but do not benefit everyone
Atypical= block D2 receptors and serotonin receptor site 5-HT2A
Therefore, not saying dop hyp is wrong but may be a partial explanation
