Contemporary study Carlsson Clinical

• Describe sample and procedure of Carlssons study

  • Aimed to review the relationship between dopamine and schizophrenia
  • Method - meta analysis carried out on 33 different studies investigating neurotransmitter involvement in schizophrenia
  • Some of the studies reviewed had previously been carried out by Carlsson with many involving PET scans and aimal research ( secondary data)
• What happens if glutamate levels fall too low in the meso-cortical pathway?

  Dopamine levels drop, leading to negative symptoms
• How does low glutamate in the meso-limbic system affect GABA levels?

  It can result in low levels of GABA
• What are the consequences of low GABA levels in the meso-limbic system?

  Dopamine release is not inhibited
• What happens if glutamate levels become too high in the meso-limbic system?

  It results in positive symptoms
• What drug is mentioned that inhibits NMDA receptors?

  PCP
• How does PCP affect glutamate levels?

  It reduces glutamate levels
• What does Carlsson suggest about the relationship between glutamate and dopamine levels?

  Lowering glutamate causes dopamine levels to become too high
• What is the effect of NMDA receptor inhibitors on serotonin (5-HT)?

  They stimulate serotonin turnover and release
• How is serotonin linked to glutamate levels according to Carlsson?

  Serotonin may contribute to negative symptoms
• What are the key roles of glutamate in the meso-cortical and meso-limbic pathways?

  • In the meso-cortical pathway:
  • Low glutamate leads to decreased dopamine, causing negative symptoms.
  • In the meso-limbic system:
  • Low glutamate can lower GABA, leading to uninhibited dopamine release.
  • High glutamate levels can result in positive symptoms.
• Carlssons study is scientific as he uses brain scans such as pet scans to look at how glutamate levels lead to SZ. Brain scans are objective