Dopamine hypothesis

• Dopamine not only neurotransmitter implicated in scz:

  Serotonin identified as potential influence. Conventional antipsychotics work by primarily blockading D2 receptor sites- not all with scz benefit. Newer atypical antipsychotics (e.g, Clozapine) block D2 receptor & serotonin 5-HT2A equally.
• Dopamine imbalance- cause or effect?

  Scz may cause dopamine imbalance- not other way around. May be a symptom of scz. As investigative techniques become less invasive, may be able to conduct research that can establish cause & effect. PET scans (e.g, Copolov & Crook 2000) haven't even been able to detect differences in dopamine activity in brains of scz & non-scz people.
• Strength:


  Used to produce antipsychotic drugs through scientific & objective evidence & research. E.g, antipsychotic drugs reduce dopamine in mesolimbic pathway to reduce positive symptoms.