The dopamine hypothesis

• Neurotransmitters:

  The brain's chemical messengers appear to work differently in the brain of a person with schizophrenia. Dopamine is important in the functioning of several brain systems that may be implicated in the symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Hyperdopaminergia in the subcortex:

  The original version of the dopamine hypothesis focused on the possible role of high levels of dopamine in the subcortex. For example, an excess of dopamine receptors in Broca's areas may be associated with poverty of speech and/or the experience of auditory hallucinations.
• Hypodopaminergia in the cortex:


  Goldman-Rakic et al. (2004) have identified a role for low levels of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (responsible for thinking and decision making) in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.