Neurobiology - Schizophrenia Flashcards
what is the biggest risk factor for developing schizophrenia?
positive family history
what are some possible maternal risk factors for developing schizophrenia?
second trimester viral illness
pre-eclampsia
foetal hypoxia
emergency C section
what childhood illness increases risk of schizophrenia by 50%?
childhood viral CNS infections
what substances can increase the risk of schizophrenia?
amphetamines
cocaine
cannabis
novel psychoactive substances (legal highs)
what effect can drugs have in individuals predisposed to schizophrenia?
precipitation of an episode
worsened overall prognosis
what three brain changes can be seen in patients with schizophrenia?
enlarged lateral ventricles
reduced fronts-temporal volume
reduced activation of prefrontal areas
what brain features can be seen in patients with schizophrenia with a poor prognosis?
reduced frontal lobe volume
reduced frontal lobe grey matter
enlarged lateral ventricle volume
how can executive function be tested?
tests such as the Stroop test
what neurotransmitter is traditionally implicated in schizophrenia?
dopamine
what are the three dopaminergic pathways in the brain?
nigrostriatal
mesolimbic
tuberoinfundibulnar
what is the role of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway?
extrapyramidal motor system
what is the role of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway?
motivation and reward systems
what is the role of the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic pathway?
control of prolactin release
what are the five dopamine receptor subtypes?
D1-5
what are the two dopamine receptor families?
D1 receptor family (D1 and D5)
D2 receptor family (D2, 3 and 4)
