Neural correlates

• Role of dopamine

  Dopamine is thought to play a role in schizophrenia because it affects parts of the brain that are linked to schizophrenia symptoms.
• Original dopamine hypothesis = High dopamine activity in the subcortex is associated with hallucinations and speech poverty

  
  

  Updated D.A Hypothesis = Low levels of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (responsible for thinking), could explain negative symptoms
• AO3 - Support for dopamine in the symptoms of SZ

  Strength) Amphetamines increase dopamine levels and mimic the positive symptoms in people without SZ. Antidepressants reduce dopamine levels and reduce the intensity of symptoms.

  -> strongly suggests that dopamine is involved in the symptoms of SZ.
• AO3 - Dopamine hypothesis

  Limitation) Drugs that decrease dopamine levels don't always prevent hallucinations and delusions. Noll reviewed studies in which people with SZ were given drugs that reduce dopamine.

  Found that 1/3 of patients, hallucinations and dellusions still occurred.

  -> suggests that for some patients, positive symptoms aren't caused by an increased level of dopamine.