Neural Correlates

• Juckel measured activity in the Ventral Striatum


  Found lower levels of activity in patients with Sz
• Lower levels of activity in the Ventral Striatum


  Negative correlation with negative symptoms of Sz
• It is possible that the avolition symptoms mean less information passes through the striatum, resulting in the reduced activity of this brain area
• There could be another factor which influences both the negative symptoms and the ventral striatum activity
• The existence of neural correlates tells us relatively little in itself as no cause and effect
• The correlation between Ventral Striatum activity and negative symptoms of Sz


  Has led to further research in this area and the development of antipsychotics