Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is thought disorder characterised by
Disturbances of reality and perception
Impaired cognitive function
Inappropriate effect
What diseases are associated with psychosis
Schizophrenia
Dementia
Depression
Drug/alcohol abuse
Cannabis use
Name the positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Hallucinations
Delusions of grandeaur
Thought disturbances
Bizarre behaviour
Name the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Social withdrawal
Flat affect
Anhedonia
Reduced motivation
Alogia
What are the cognitive defects associated with schizophrenia
Memory and executive function
Sensory processing
What is used to establish a schizophrenic diagnosis
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5)
What is the criteria for schizophrenia in the DSM-5
2 or more symptoms last a month
At least one being: delusions, hallucinations or disorganised speech
What are the 2 causes of schizophrenia
Genetic risk factors
Environmental/sociodevelopmental
Describe the link between genetics and schizophrenia
Not one gene
Not a simple inheritance
What genes are involved in schizophrenia
Linked to development
ARC signalling
Linked to synaptic plasticity
VGCC
Linked to DA metabolites
Linked to neuroinflammation
What genetic mutation has the highest genetic risk of schizophrenia
22q11 deletion
= deletion of 30 genes on chromosome 22
Present ion 30% of patients
What environmental/ development factors may be involved in schizophrenia
Family stress
Poor social interactions
Poor maternal nutrition
Infection/viruses at early age
Trauma at early age
Obstetric complications
What structural abnormalities are seen in schizophrenia
Enlargement of the cerebral ventricles by 20%
Changes in gyrification
Decreased grey matter volume
Where in the brain are deficits seen
Early deficits in parietal
Later in sensorimotor and PFC
What is grey matter
Contains neural cell bodies, axon terminals and dendrites
Nerve synapses as well
