neural correlates-enlarged ventricles -biological explanation

Question 1

what are neural correlates

Answer 1

patterns of structure or activity in the brain that occur alongside an experience

Question 2

what are ventricles

Answer 2

cavities that produce and store cerebrospinal fluid which provides the brain with nutrients and removes waste

Question 3

people with schizophrenia what are their ventricles like

Answer 3

abnormally large

Question 4

are people with schizophrenia brains lighter or heavier

Answer 4

lighter due to a restriction in grey matter

Question 5

how much bigger are the ventricles in brains of people with schizophrenia compared to normal people

Answer 5

15%

Question 6

what is the research evidence to support the neural correlates of schizophrenia

Answer 6

Suddath et al compared MRI scans of monozygotic twins where one twin had developed schizophrenia. The twin with schizophrenia had enlarged ventricles and reduced volume in the anterior hypothalamus compared to the non-schizophrenic twin. the differences were so pronounced, they were easily identifiable in 12 out of 15 pairs of twins
this suggests that enlarged ventricles may be significant in explaining the cause of schizophrenia

Question 7

what advantages are there that use brain imaging techniques as their evidence

Answer 7

easier to identify differences from whom a normal/average persons looking brain.

Question 8

what is the problem with correlation and causation with neural correlates

Answer 8

enlarged ventricles are frequently observed in individuals with schizophrenia, these findings are correlational. there may be an association between ventricular enlargement and the disorder, but it doesn’t imply that enlarged ventricles cause schizophrenia.
the exact causal relationship remains unclear