biological explainations of schizophrenia

Question 1

what are candidate genes?

Answer 1

genes that are linked to a disorder

Question 2

what does polygenic mean?

Answer 2

Number of genes are linked to schizophrenia

Question 3

Who did research into candidate genes?

Answer 3

Ripke

Question 4

what was ripke’s procedure and findings?

Answer 4

studied 37,000 people diagnosed with schizophrenia - through meta analysis
-found 108 separate genetic variation thro associated with increased risk

Question 5

Who did research into genetics?

Answer 5

gottesman

Question 6

what was Gottesman’s procedure?

Answer 6

• Family studies
• monozygotic twins have 48% chance
• dizygotic have a 9% chance
• not related you have a 1% chance
• positive correlation because as more genes are shared and increase your chances of schizophrenia

Question 7

what is the role of mutation in developing schizophrenia?

Answer 7

if not related, you have a 1% chance of getting schizophrenia due to mutation

Question 8

strength of biological explaination - genetics (evidence - G and adoption)

Answer 8

gottesman showed increased risk when genetic similarity
- tienet did adoption studies and kids with bio parents who have sz had increased risk

Question 9

limitation of biological explaination - genetics(environmental)

Answer 9

environment factors increase risk
- environmental factors include biological and psychological
- biological – birth complication
- psychological – trauma

Question 10

what is the original dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 10

antipsychotic drugs to treat sz
- hyperdopaminergia = high dopamine in subcortical areas
- associated with positive symptoms

Question 11

what is the updated dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 11

• antipsychotic meds block dopamine receptors to reduce dopamine and positive symptoms
• hypodopaminergia = low levels of dopamine in brains cortex
• negative symptoms
• hypo leads to hyper

Question 12

strength of biological explaination - neural(ODH supported)

Answer 12

amphetamines increase dopamine and worsen symptoms
- clear that dopamine is involved

Question 13

limitation of biological explaination - neural(unclear)

Answer 13

don’t know if high dopamine causes schizophrenia or glutamate
- post-mortem and live scanning found raised glutamate in brain
cause and effect can’t be established