Neural Corellates - Biological Explanations for schizo[hrenoa

Question 1

What is the neural correlate explanation?

Answer 1

• Neural correlates mean that there is a correlation between brain structure and function and
  symptoms of schizophrenia.
• People with schizophrenia have abnormally large ventricles in the brain. Ventricles are fluid
  filled cavities in the brain that supply nutrients and remove waste. This means
  that the brains of schizophrenics are lighter than normal.

-The ventricles of a person with schizophrenia are on average about 15% bigger than normal (Torrey, 2002).
- The ventral striatum is involved with reward anticipation.
- Schizophrenia patients have been found to have less activity in this region - the lower the
activity, the more severe the negative symptoms. This could explain avolition (loss of
motivation).

Question 2

A03 - Research Support

Answer 2

• Research using correlations and MRi scans support the link between enlarged ventricles,
  underactivity of the ventral striatum and impairment of the prefrontal cortex and the
  presence of sz.
• Whilst MRi scans are an objective, controlled measure of assessing brain
  function, yielding empirical data. The correlation between a dysfunction in e.g., the ventral
  striatum is merely a link and does not establish cause and effect.
  -The onset of Sz may have caused the change in these areas of the brain.

Question 3

A03 - Twin Studies

Answer 3

• Supporting evidence for the brain structure explanation comes from further empirical
  support from Suddath et al. (1990).
• He used MRI to obtain pictures of the brain structure of MZ twins in which one twin was schizophrenic.
  -The schizophrenic twin generally had more enlarged ventricles and a reduced anterior
  hypothalamus.
  -The differences were so large the schizophrenic twins could be easily
  identified from the brain images in 12 out of 15 pairs.
  -This suggests that there is wider
  academic credibility for enlarged ventricles determining the likelihood of schizophrenia
  developing. However, we must be cautious when generalising the findings from such a small-
  scale study.

Question 4

A03 - Biological reductionism

Answer 4

• The neural explanation is biologically deterministic and implies that everyone who
  has these correlates will develop sz.

-However, there are other factors such as the environment, experiences and family behaviour that could influence the onset of sz.

• Whilst the correlates are valuable and contribute to our wider understanding of sz, maybe adopting an interactionist approach may be a more comprehensive way of explaining sz.