Brain Structure as an Explanation of Schizophrenia

• What is schizophrenia associated with in terms of brain structure?

  Changes in structure and functioning of the brain
• Which brain regions are involved in memory and decision making related to schizophrenia?

  Prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe
• What did Crow (1985) suggest about brain structure differences in schizophrenia?

  They relate to positive and negative symptoms
• What do CAT scans reveal about brain volume in schizophrenia patients?

  Smaller overall brain volume and enlarged ventricles
• What do enlarged ventricles imply in schizophrenia?

  Loss of brain cells
• What causes the enlargement of ventricles in the brain?

  Death of tissue supplying oxygen and blood
• What does the absence of gliosis indicate in schizophrenia?

  Schizophrenia is not progressive
• What did Pahl, Swayze & Andreasen find in their studies on schizophrenia?

  Majority had abnormally large ventricles
• How might enlarged ventricles relate to symptoms of schizophrenia?

  They could result in auditory hallucinations
• What is a weakness of the data obtained in studies researching schizophrenia?

  It is correlational, not causal
• What does brain plasticity imply about brain dysfunction in schizophrenia?

  Brain changes may result from abnormalities
• What is suggested to link reduced grey matter volume to schizophrenia?

  Disrupted white matter integrity
• What do functional imaging techniques reveal about schizophrenia?

  They identify abnormal neural activity
• What do MRIs show in relation to grey matter in schizophrenia?

  Reduced grey matter in specific brain regions
• What is a strength of using MRI techniques in research?

  They are non-invasive and repeatable
• What is a limitation of using fMRI scans in schizophrenia research?

  People with metal implants cannot use them
• What does the prefrontal cortex (PFC) control?

  Executive functions like decision making
• What is observed in schizophrenia patients regarding grey matter in the PFC?

  Reduction of grey matter and metabolic rates
• How does excessive dopamine release affect schizophrenia patients?

  It leads to poor working memory and language
• What did Goldstein find in his research on schizophrenia brains?

  Greatest reduction in paralimbic cortex and middle frontal gyrus
• What do brain deficits explain in schizophrenia according to Goldstein?

  Symptoms including negative and positive symptoms
• What is a weakness of focusing solely on biological factors in schizophrenia?

  Ignores psychological and environmental contributions
• What does the neurodevelopmental hypothesis suggest?

  Factors during development increase vulnerability to schizophrenia
• What factors during pregnancy can increase vulnerability to schizophrenia?

  Flu, malnutrition, and winter births
• What correlation was found in Helsinki regarding schizophrenia rates?

  Positive correlation with influenza exposure
• What did Battle et al. find regarding schizophrenia and flu exposure?

  No correlation between incidence and flu exposure
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using brain imaging techniques in schizophrenia research?

  Strengths:

  • Objective measures and high-resolution images
  • Non-invasive and repeatable

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited generalizability due to sample restrictions
  • Some patients cannot undergo certain scans
• What are the implications of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis for understanding schizophrenia?

  • Suggests prenatal and perinatal factors contribute
  • Highlights the importance of brain development
  • Indicates a need for multi-level explanations
• What is the basal ganglia responsible for?

  Motor control
• Where is the basal ganglia located?

  In the temporal lobe
• What does the basal ganglia connect to?

  The frontal cortex
• What functions are linked to the frontal cortex via the basal ganglia?

  Motivation, reward, and dopamine production
• What happens when there is a lack of activation in the basal ganglia?

  It leads to symptoms in Sz patients
• What is the conclusion regarding brain deficits in Sz patients?

  They cause symptoms of Sz
• What does the theory suggest about free will in relation to brain deficits?

  People have no free will
• What alternative theory might explain the symptoms of Sz?

  The diathesis-stress model
• What is the implication of brain dysfunction in Sz patients?

  It doesn't always result in Sz symptoms
• How can drug treatment affect brain function in Sz patients?

  It can reduce symptoms and improve stability
• What is the overall benefit of reducing symptoms in Sz patients?

  Improves quality of life
• What is the goal of treatment for Sz patients?

  To stabilize and make them independent