The biological theory of schizophrenia

Subdecks (1)

Cards (26)

  • -      Nature
    -      Deterministic
    -      Reductionist
  • Many biological psychologists agree that there is a genetic basis to this particular mental health problem.
  • If there is a gene for SZ then it is possible that it goes on to affect the brains of people who are diagnosed with it.
  • Dopamine
    A neurotransmitter linked to movement, perception, attention and mood
  • Too much dopamine can lead to erratic movements, hallucinations and delusions
  • Dopaminergic neurons transmit dopamine
    Fire too easily or too often
  • Too much dopamine
    Can lead to many of the symptoms of Schizophrenia (SZ)
  • D2 receptors
    Receptors on certain neurons that bind dopamine
  • People with SZ seem to have an unusually high number of dopamine (D2) receptors on certain neurons
  • High number of dopamine (D2) receptors
    Results in more dopamine binding and therefore more neurons firing across synapses
  • More neurons firing across synapses
  • When scanned
    An individual with SZ brain will look different to a healthy individual
  • Blood flow is lower in the pre-frontal cortex
  • Pre-frontal cortex is less frequently activated when certain tasks are carried out

    Appears to be defective in SZ
  • Pre-frontal cortex
    Acts as the control centre of the brain
  • This defective pre-frontal cortex may explain why these individuals lose control over their psychological functioning
  • Temporal lobes are also lower in volume
  • Hippocampus
    Has a role in formation of memories and the emotions that go with them
  • Hippocampus is smaller in volume in people with SZ
  • The more severe the disorder
    The more delegated the hippocampus is
  • Some of this neurological damage in people with SZ may occur before they are born