neural correlates of schizophrenia

Question 1

neural correlates

Answer 1

-pathways or structures in the brain that are active with experience (best known correlates is dopamine)

Question 2

the original dopamine hypothesis

Answer 2

-based on discovery when using anti-psychotics (reduce dopamine) when treating SZ caused Parkinson’s symptoms (low dopamine) + decrease SZ symptoms

Question 3

hyperdopaminergia

Answer 3

-high levels of dopamine
-found in the sub cortex and brocas area

Question 4

hypodopaminergia

Answer 4

-not enough dopamine
-found in prefrontal cortex

Question 5

the updated dopamine hypothesis

Answer 5

investigate the causes of high or low dopamine - a combination of genetics and early experience of stress make people more sensitive to hypodopaminergia

Question 6

negative symptoms

Answer 6

-ventral striatum involved in reward
-less activity in this region (lower activity = more severe negative symptoms (could cause avolition)

Question 7

positive symptoms

Answer 7

-auditory hallucinations cause by reduced activity in superior temporal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus

Question 8

evidence for dopamine (strength)

Answer 8

-amphetamines increase dopamine and worsen SZ symptoms (can induce SZ in those without it Curran et al, 2004
-drugs that reduce dopamine (antipsychotics) reduce SZ symptoms
-drugs that increase dopamine (Parkinson’s treatment) increase SZ symptoms

Question 9

other neurotransmitters

Answer 9

-post-mortem studies and scanning show higher levels of Glutamate in SZ patients compared to controls

Question 10

reductionist

Answer 10

-environmental causes ignored
-need to understand role of genetics and environment
-do interventions (flu-shots, drug)
-however it allows us to look deeper in more detail
-can establish cause and effect