contemporary schizophrenia

Question 1

contemporary study for schizophrenia

Answer 1

Carlsson et al (2000)

Question 2

title

Answer 2

Network interactions in schizophrenia - therapeutic implications

Question 3

what is the contemporary study

Answer 3

a review where he summarises all the research on schizophrenia and focus to explain the cause and thus treatments in terms of neurotransmitter levels

Question 4

aim

Answer 4

review evidence for the dopamine hypothesis including glutamate, serotonin and GABA and explore new anti psychotics for people who are treatment resistant or experience extreme side effects

Question 5

hyperdopaminergia

hypodopaminergia

hypoglutamatergia

GABA

Answer 5

hyperdopaminergia: high levels of dopamine in brain and linked with positive symptoms of schizophrenia
hypodopaminergia: low levels of dopamine in brain and linked with negative symptoms of schizophrenia
hypoglutamatergia: low levels of glutamate in areas of the brain

GABA: neurotransmitter which inhibits activity of neurones in areas of the brain

Question 6

Agonist

Antagonist

Answer 6

Agonist: a drug that has the same effect as a naturally produced neurotransmitter. By increasing dopamine levels e.g. amphetamines

Antagonist: a drug that prevents the effects of a naturally produced neurotransmitter

Question 7

procedure

Answer 7

none but the studies used PET scans

Question 8

2 main findings

Answer 8

1. relationship between schizophrenia and dopaminergic dysfunction
2. rival theory where there is glutamatergic deficiency or hypoglutamatergic

Question 9

results 1: dopamine hypothesis

Answer 9

• schizophrenic patients show more dopamine activity than control but Larvelle (1999) found that schizophrenic patients in remission had normal dopamine activity

Question 10

results 2: role of glutamate

Answer 10

• PLP and ket produce psychotic symptoms

- stimulate glutamate receptors called NDMA so glutamate falls and dopamine increases

Question 11

results 3: dopamine and glutamate interaction

Answer 11

hypoglutamatergia links with both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia making it a superior explanation for dopamine hypothesis
- glutamate regulates behaviour of dopamine

Question 12

conclusion

Answer 12

Carlsson suggests there are difference subpopulations and types of schizophrenic groups and individual differences are key and we cannot take a one size fits all approach

Question 13

evaluation

Answer 13

• great credibility as his studies are strong and representative of his time
• but 2000 so results time locked as more neurotransmitters have been identified
• good application in terms of developing new drug treatments. People labelled treatment resistant can now be treated
• strength of methodology as PET scans are credible as objective data and good reliability and validity
• However, many conclusions are based off animal models which lacks generalisability

Question 14

individual differences for schizophrenia

Answer 14

gender

• onset age later for women
• prognosis more positive
• oestrogen helps regulate glutamate, serotonin and dopamine