Neural correlates

• Neural correlates - measurements of the structure of function of the brain that occur in conjunction with an experience, SZ

  Both positive and negative symptoms have correlates
• Neural correlates of negative symptoms of SZ

  • Activity in the ventral striatum has been linked to the development of avolition
  • The ventral striatum are believed to be involved in the anticipation of a reward for certain actions
• Neural correlates of positive symptoms

  • Reduced activity in the superior temporal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus have been linked to the development of auditory hallucinations
• Evidence of neural correlates - negative

  Study measured activity levels in ventral striatum and found lower activity in those with SZ than controls.

  Also observed a negative correlation between activity levels in ventral striatum and severity of overall negative symptoms
• Neural correlates of schizophrenia - AO3

  • Findings are inconsistent and therefore inconclusive
  • There are issues of causality. Cause and effect cannot be established with brain abnormalities - it is still uncertain whether structural abnormalities predispose to SZ or whiter the symptoms causes the changes
• Other neural correlates

  People with SZ displaying negative symptoms have enlarged ventricles (brain cavities)

  Study - found that individuals at high clinical risk who converted to SZ showed a steeper rate of grey matter loss and a greater rate of expansion of brain ventricles compared to those with no SZ