Research has shown that the risk of developing schizophrenia is higher among individuals with a family history of the disorder, indicating familial aggregation.
Twin studies provide evidence for a genetic component in schizophrenia.
What is the concordance rate for schizophrenia in identical twins?
40-50%
Children adopted away from biological parents with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing the disorder, supporting the role of genetics in its development.
Environmental factors and non-genetic influences do not contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
False
What does the dopamine hypothesis suggest about the role of dopamine in schizophrenia?
Excess dopamine activity
Match the brain region with the dopamine levels in schizophrenic individuals:
Striatum ↔️ Higher
Prefrontal Cortex ↔️ Lower
Studies by Seeman and colleagues support the link between increased dopamine activity and schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and blunted emotions.
What are the key brain structure abnormalities observed in individuals with schizophrenia?
Enlarged ventricles in the brain are associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
The dopamine hypothesis focuses on the role of dopamine receptors, particularly D2 receptors, in mediating the effects of schizophrenia.
In which brain region are dopamine levels lower in schizophrenic individuals compared to non-schizophrenic individuals?
Prefrontal cortex
Studies by Seeman and colleagues found increased binding of dopamine to receptors in schizophrenic patients.
The glutamate hypothesis suggests that imbalances in glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in neuronal excitability, contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Which type of receptors are implicated in the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia?
NMDA receptors
Studies by Carlsson et al. support the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Lower glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex are associated with negative symptoms like blunted affect and disorganized thinking.
What is the concordance rate for schizophrenia in fraternal twins?
10-15%
Environmental factors and non-genetic influences play no role in the development of schizophrenia.
False
One of the key symptoms of schizophrenia is disorganized thinking
Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia.
Twin studies show higher concordance rates in identical twins compared to fraternal
What is the concordance rate for identical twins in schizophrenia?
40-50%
Environmental factors can interact with genetic predispositions in schizophrenia.
The dopamine hypothesis suggests that an excess of dopamine activity is linked to schizophrenia, specifically at D2 receptors
Match the brain region with dopamine levels in schizophrenic individuals:
Striatum ↔️ Higher
Prefrontal Cortex ↔️ Lower
Studies by Seeman and colleagues support the dopamine hypothesis.
The glutamate hypothesis suggests that lower glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex are associated with negative symptoms like blunted affect
What happens to glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic individuals?
Lower
Match the neurotransmitter imbalance with its associated hypothesis in schizophrenia:
Dopamine ↔️ Dopamine Hypothesis
Glutamate ↔️ Glutamate Hypothesis
Brain structure abnormalities in schizophrenia include ventricular enlargement
Order the brain structure abnormalities in terms of their effects: