biological explanation and treatment

• What is the original dopamine hypothesis?

  High dopamine levels cause schizophrenia symptoms
• What is hypodopaminergia?

  Abnormally low dopamine in the brain's cortex
• What is the role of glutamate in schizophrenia?

  High levels found in the brains of patients
• What are typical antipsychotics?

  Traditional drugs used since the 1950s
• What is the function of dopamine antagonists?

  Reduce action of dopamine in the brain
• What is the sedative effect of chlorpromazine attributed to?

  Histamine receptors, not fully understood
• What is clozapine used for?

  To improve mood and reduce anxiety
• How does risperidone differ from clozapine?

  Binds more strongly to dopamine receptors
• What is a limitation of antipsychotics?

  They can cause significant side effects
• What is the Schizophrenogenic Mother concept?

  A cold, rejecting, controlling mother type
• What does the double bind theory suggest?

  Mixed messages lead to confusion in children
• What is expressed emotion in the context of schizophrenia?

  Negative emotions expressed by family members
• What are the main symptoms of schizophrenia?

  • Positive symptoms: hallucinations, delusions
  • Negative symptoms: speech poverty, avolition
  • Disorganized thoughts, speech, and behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the biological explanation for schizophrenia?

  Strengths:

  • Strong evidence for genetic factors
  • Research supports dopamine's role

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited understanding of antipsychotic mechanisms
  • Incomplete explanation due to glutamate's role
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of family dysfunction as an explanation for schizophrenia?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights environmental factors
  • Explains some symptoms through family dynamics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Not applicable to all cases
  • Lacks empirical support
• What are the types of antipsychotic medications?

  • Typical antipsychotics: e.g., Chlorpromazine
  • Atypical antipsychotics: e.g., Clozapine, Risperidone
• What are the effects of antipsychotic medications?

  • Effective in reducing symptoms
  • Can cause side effects like tardive dyskinesia
  • Linked to the dopamine hypothesis
• What are the three biological explanations for schizophrenia?

  Genetic vulnerability, dopamine dysregulation, brain structure abnormalities
• What do family and twin studies suggest about schizophrenia?

  Higher concordance rates in monozygotic twins
• What is the concordance rate for monozygotic twins according to Gottesman (1991)?

  48%
• What is the concordance rate for dizygotic twins according to Gottesman (1991)?

  17%
• What does the dopamine hypothesis propose?

  Hyperactivity of dopamine leads to positive symptoms
• What results from reduced dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex?

  Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• What structural abnormalities are observed in schizophrenia patients?

  Enlarged ventricles and reduced grey matter
• What did Ripke et al. (2014) identify in their study?

  108 genetic loci associated with schizophrenia risk
• What does the polygenic nature of schizophrenia imply?

  No single gene determines the disorder
• What does the dopamine hypothesis lack according to some patients?

  Response to dopamine-targeting drugs
• What neurotransmitter may also be implicated in schizophrenia?

  Glutamate
• What do neural correlates provide regarding schizophrenia?

  Biological plausibility but are correlational
• What might enlarged ventricles indicate?

  Consequences of schizophrenia or medication
• What do typical antipsychotics do?

  Block dopamine receptors to reduce positive symptoms
• What do atypical antipsychotics aim to treat?

  Both positive and negative symptoms
• What is a benefit of atypical antipsychotics?

  Fewer motor side effects and improved mood
• How are antipsychotic medications typically prescribed?

  Alongside psychological therapies for comprehensive management
• What did Thornley et al. (2003) find about chlorpromazine?

  It significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo
• What is clozapine particularly effective for?

  Treatment-resistant patients
• What is a limitation of antipsychotic medications?

  They can cause serious side effects
• What is agranulocytosis?

  A serious side effect of clozapine
• What do antipsychotic medications treat?

  Symptoms, not underlying causes
• What is the genetic predisposition in biological explanations of schizophrenia?

  Heritability increases with genetic similarity