Late Adolescence: Schizophrenia Flashcards
Late Adolescence Neurobiological changes?
-PFC maturation (better at self-control and executive functions)
- Synaptic pruning slows down , myelination continues
- Enhanced connectivity between PFC and lymbic system (less risk taking)
- Better integration of emotional and cognitive processes (better problem solving, self regulation)
- Increased functional connectivity
- Better dopamine system regulation
Late Adolescence cognitive development?
- Advanced abstract thinking
- Metacognition and self reflection
- Long term planning improved
L.A. Socio-emotional development?
- Consolidation of identity
- Emotional maturity and regulation
- autonomy and independence
- romantic relationships
if individual fails to manage transition to adulthood, GAD and MDD risk.
Schizophrenia Symptoms?
- Positive symptoms : feelings/behaviors that aren’t usually there, psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech
- Negative symptoms: Missing feeling / behaviors that are usually there, affective flattening, anhedonia, withdrawal.
- Cognitive symptoms: Cognitive dysfunctions (impaired executive function)
Sychizophrenia Risk Factors?
- perinatal events/injuries
- older paternal age
- urban environment
- personal / family history of migration
- being a minority
- substance use
- ACEs
- Sex ( Higher in men)
Sex: Men have it more often, at an earlier age, mostly with negative symptoms,more severe, hormonal affect, genetic predisposition.
Schizophrenia Causes?
- Insult in early brain development
- Disrupted dopamine levels
- Disrupted GABA functions
- Heritable ,polygenic
What’s schizophrenic brain like?
- smaller brain volume
- increased ventricular volume
- abnormal information processing
- abnormal salience processing
- abnormal activity in auditory and visual areas
- reduced function of reward system
- abnormal social brain
- impaired executive networks
- reduced interaction between mPFC and amygdala
- Reduced DLPFC activation
- Reduced activation of hippocampal formation
- During rest, extended lymbic system connectivity is increased.
- Increased dopamine
Prevention for Schizophrenia?
- Detecting CHR individuals
- Screening for changing thoughts and patterns
- No medication before diagnosis
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
- CBT + Family Therapy
Schizophrenia treatment?
- Medication (side effects: parkinsonism,weight gain,diabetes)
- ECT
- rTMS
- Augmentation strategies (higher dose)
- psychosocial interventions
Schizophrenia comorbidities?
- Mood disorders (MDD, Bipolar)
- AD (GAD, Panic Disorder, Social AD)
- Substance use abuse
- suicide
- Medical conditions (cardiovascular diseases, obesity,diabetes, metabolic issues)
- Smoking
- Personality disorders
- cognitive impairments
- sleep disorders (insomnia - hypersomnia)
- ASD
Reasons schizophrenia can be a neurodevelopmental disorder?
- Usually onset is during early adolescent years due to high levels of synaptic pruning
- Complications at birth or early life is a risk factor (pregnancy complications, abnormal fetal growth, complications with delivery)
- Genes associated with schizophrenia show preferential expression during fetal development
- originates in early life
Which disorders have overlapping symptoms with schizophrenia?
MDD, Bipolar, ADHD, Multiple personality disorder
How do FGAs work?
FGA focuses on reducing the increased dopamine activity. Reduces positive symptoms like paranoia, disorganized thoughts and processes.
Side effects: Tremor, rigidity, parkinsonism, menstrual irregulations, sexual dysfunction.
How do SGAs work?
Focuses on reducing the increased dopamine and serotonine activity. Reduces negative and positive symptoms like social withdrawal, lack of motivation, emotional flatness) and improve cognitive functions.
Side effects: metabolic issues (weight gain, diabetes)
