One biological explanation of schizophrenia is the dopamine hypothesis, which suggests that an overactivity of dopamine transmission in certain areas of the brain may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms refer to experiences that go beyond normal human experience, such as hearing voices or having false beliefs.
Positive symptoms refer to experiences that go beyond normal human experience, such as hearing voices or having strange beliefs.
The DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech or behaviour, reduced emotional expression, lack of motivation, negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, social withdrawal, and reduced functioning.
The DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms (reduced emotional expression), and cognitive impairment.
Brain structure abnormalities, such as enlarged ventricles or reduced gray matter volume in certain brain regions, have also been linked to schizophrenia.
Another biological explanation is the role of genetics, as research indicates that individuals with a first-degree relative who has schizophrenia are at a higher risk of developing the disorder themselves.
Schneider's first rank symptoms are the most reliable indicators of schizophrenia
Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, motivation, attention, learning, memory, sleep, and movement
The dopamine hypothesis proposes that there are two types of dopamine receptors - D1 and D2
There are three main theories about how dopamine contributes to schizophrenic symptoms: too much dopamine, too little dopamine, or abnormal communication between neurons using dopamine as a neurotransmitter