Biological Explanations and Treatments for Schizophrenia

Question 1

Genetic explanation for SZ

Answer 1

Genes code for biological processes

There isn’t one “schizophrenia gene” but a collection of genes associated with a higher risk of developing SZ

Meaning the disorder is polygenetic

Question 2

The Dopamine hypothesis

Answer 2

Symptoms of SZ are due to an imbalance of the dopamine neurotransmitter across the brain

Hyperdopaminergia and hypopaminerergia

Question 3

Hyperdopaminergia

Answer 3

Excessive amounts of dopamine in speech centres like Bocas area may lead to hallucinations

Question 4

Hypodopaminergia

Answer 4

Lower levels of dopamine in areas like the frontal cortex are linked to negative symptoms like avolition or speech poverty

Question 5

Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia

Answer 5

The variations in neural structure and biochemistry that are correlated with an increased risk of developing SZ

Question 6

Evaluation of Biological Explanation

Answer 6

Gottesman 1991

Family study found that concordance rates for SZ of 48% for MZ twins and 17% for DZ twins

Suggests there are genetic factors

However the concordance rates is far less than 100% for MZ twins so there must be a role for environmental factors

Question 7

Positive Evaluation of the dopamine hypothesis

Answer 7

Meta Analysis of 212 studies

Leucht (2012) found that drug treatments that work via normalising dopamine levels were more effective than a placebo

The efficacy of treatments directly influencing the dopamine system supports the dopamine hypothesis

Question 8

Negative evaluations of Biological Explanations and Dopamine hypothesis

Answer 8

Gottesman - concordance rates far less than a 100 so there must be a role for environmental factors

Curran (2004) - found that dopamine agonists increase levels of dopamine and make SZ symptoms worse

Question 9

Antipsychotics

Answer 9

Medications used to control symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations and delusions

Taken in pill form or injected

Question 10

Typical antipsychotics (4)

Answer 10

First generation drug therapy used since the 1950s

Less popular as they only treat/reduce positive symptoms hallucinations and delusions

Chlorpromazine works as a dopamine antagonist (reducing dopamine activity) by blocking dopamine receptors at the synapse

Typical doses are 400-800mg

Question 11

Atypical antipsychotics (4)

Answer 11

Second generation drug therapy (1970s onwards)

Clozapine block dopamine receptors and address the negative symptoms such as avolition

Less likely to cause involuntary movements

Daily dosage is between 300 and 450mg per day, lower than Chlorpromazine due to the fatal side effects

Question 12

Typical vs Atypical Side effects

Answer 12

Typical - dry mouth, constipation and confusion

Atypical - Weight gain and cardiovascular problems

Question 13

2 Positive Evaluations of Biological Treatments

Answer 13

Meta Analysis of 212 studies

Leucht (2012) found that drug treatments that work via normalising dopamine levels were more effective than a placebo

Suggests drug treatments that target the dopamine system are effective in reducing symptoms

Drug therapies are cheap especially compared to providing hospital treatments

Question 14

Negative evaluations for Biological treatments

Answer 14

Drug therapies only supress symptoms and not treat the underlying problem which may be cognitive

The severity of side effects - some are mild (on other fc) but can be fatal