neural explanations

Question 1

Neural explanations for schizophrenia: What does the neural explanation focus on?

Answer 1

The neural explanation for schizophrenia focuses on abnormalities in brain structure and function, particularly relating to neurotransmitters and brain tissue.

Question 2

What are the key components of the neural explanation for schizophrenia?

Answer 2

The key components include the dopamine hypothesis, revised dopamine hypothesis, and neural correlates.

Question 3

What is the original dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia?

Answer 3

The original dopamine hypothesis suggests that schizophrenia is linked to overactivity of dopamine pathways in certain areas of the brain.

Question 4

What evidence supports the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 4

Evidence shows that drugs which increase dopamine levels, such as amphetamines, can induce psychotic symptoms similar to those seen in schizophrenia.

Question 5

How do antipsychotic drugs support the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 5

Antipsychotic drugs that reduce dopamine activity have been shown to alleviate positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Question 6

What is the role of D2 receptors in schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 6

Schizophrenics are thought to have abnormally high numbers of D2 receptors on postsynaptic neurons, which results in more dopamine binding and more neurons firing.

Question 7

Which brain pathway is particularly associated with dopamine overactivity in schizophrenia?

Answer 7

The mesolimbic pathway is particularly associated with dopamine overactivity, with excess dopamine in this pathway believed to cause positive symptoms.

Question 8

What does the revised dopamine hypothesis propose about dopamine activity in the brain?

Answer 8

The revised dopamine hypothesis proposes that dopamine activity is not uniformly high across the brain, and different pathways are affected in different ways.

Question 9

How does the revised dopamine hypothesis explain positive symptoms in schizophrenia?

Answer 9

In the mesolimbic pathway, excess dopamine is linked to positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Question 10

How does the revised dopamine hypothesis explain negative symptoms in schizophrenia?

Answer 10

Reduced dopamine activity in the mesocortical pathway, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, is linked to negative symptoms such as speech poverty and avolition.

Question 11

Why are dopamine-blocking drugs more effective for positive symptoms than negative symptoms?

Answer 11

Dopamine-blocking drugs are effective for positive symptoms because they reduce excess dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway, but they are less effective for negative symptoms due to reduced dopamine in the mesocortical pathway.

Question 12

What did Owen et al. (1987) find in their research on dopamine in schizophrenia?

Answer 12

Owen et al. (1987) found that schizophrenics tend to have a greater number of dopamine receptors, which may result in overactive neural firing and excess dopamine-related messages.

Question 13

What did Leucht et al. (2013) find in their meta-analysis of antipsychotic drug trials?

Answer 13

Leucht et al. (2013) found that all antipsychotic drugs tested were significantly more effective than placebos in reducing schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 14

How does the research by Leucht et al. (2013) support the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 14

The research supports the dopamine hypothesis by showing that drugs targeting dopamine activity are effective in reducing schizophrenia symptoms, suggesting dopamine plays a key role in the disorder.

Question 15

What is a key strength of the dopamine hypothesis in relation to treatment?

Answer 15

A key strength of the dopamine hypothesis is its practical applications, leading to the development of effective treatments for schizophrenia.

Question 16

How have drugs like clozapine supported the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 16

Drugs like clozapine have proven highly effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in cases where traditional neuroleptics have failed, supporting the view that dopamine imbalances are critical in schizophrenia.

Question 17

How has understanding dopamine’s role in schizophrenia enhanced treatment outcomes?

Answer 17

Understanding dopamine’s role has led to the development of treatments that significantly improve patients’ quality of life by addressing dopamine imbalances, such as the use of clozapine.

Question 18

Why are antipsychotic drugs effective according to the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 18

Antipsychotic drugs are effective because they reduce dopamine activity, which alleviates positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions in individuals with schizophrenia.

Question 19

How has the dopamine hypothesis contributed to the treatment of schizophrenia?

Answer 19

The dopamine hypothesis has contributed to the development of antipsychotic medications that target dopamine activity, improving the quality of life for many patients by managing symptoms.

Question 20

What is a major weakness of the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 20

A major weakness of the dopamine hypothesis is that it may be too simplistic, as it focuses primarily on dopamine and overlooks the role of other neurotransmitters.

Question 21

How do newer drugs like clozapine challenge the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 21

Newer drugs like clozapine are more effective than traditional antipsychotic drugs because they not only target dopamine but also affect serotonin and other neurotransmitters, suggesting multiple neurotransmitters are involved in schizophrenia.

Question 22

What does the effectiveness of clozapine suggest about neurotransmitters in schizophrenia?

Answer 22

The effectiveness of clozapine suggests that multiple neurotransmitters, including serotonin and glutamate, may play a role in the development of schizophrenia, beyond just dopamine.

Question 23

Why does the dopamine hypothesis lack explanatory power?

Answer 23

The dopamine hypothesis lacks explanatory power because it fails to account for the complex interactions of multiple neurotransmitters involved in schizophrenia, such as serotonin and glutamate.

Question 24

How does the complexity of neurochemical imbalances affect the validity of the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 24

The complexity of neurochemical imbalances in schizophrenia reduces the validity of the dopamine hypothesis, as it cannot fully explain the role of other neurotransmitters in the disorder.

Question 25

What is the main criticism of the dopamine hypothesis regarding cause and effect?

Answer 25

A key criticism of the dopamine hypothesis is the issue of cause and effect, as it is unclear whether raised dopamine levels cause schizophrenia or are a consequence of the disorder.

Question 26

How does Lloyd et al.'s suggestion challenge the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 26

Lloyd et al. suggested that dopamine may act indirectly through environmental triggers, such as abnormal family dynamics, which could elevate dopamine levels and trigger schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 27

How might environmental stressors influence dopamine levels in the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 27

Environmental stressors, like abnormal family dynamics, may elevate dopamine levels, which could then contribute to the development of schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 28

What does the cause and effect issue suggest about the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 28

The cause and effect issue suggests that the dopamine hypothesis may oversimplify the complex relationship between biology and environment in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 29

Why is the dopamine hypothesis potentially unreliable as a standalone explanation?

Answer 29

The dopamine hypothesis is potentially unreliable as a standalone explanation because it overlooks the complex interplay between biological factors (like dopamine) and environmental influences (such as family dynamics).

Question 30

What do neural correlates in schizophrenia refer to?

Answer 30

Neural correlates suggest that schizophrenia is linked to structural and functional abnormalities in the brain.

Question 31

What evidence supports the neural correlates explanation for schizophrenia?

Answer 31

Early evidence came from post-mortem examinations showing significant differences in brain structure in individuals with schizophrenia.

Question 32

How has modern research advanced the study of neural correlates in schizophrenia?

Answer 32

Modern research uses fMRI scans to study the brains of individuals with schizophrenia in real-time, offering a clearer picture of brain function.

Question 33

What is the role of fMRI scans in understanding schizophrenia?

Answer 33

fMRI scans allow researchers to study how certain brain regions function differently in individuals with schizophrenia compared to non-sufferers.

Question 34

How do neural correlates explain the differences observed in individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 34

Neural correlates explain that schizophrenia may be caused by structural and functional differences in the brain, particularly in certain brain regions.

Question 35

What is the relationship between enlarged ventricles and schizophrenia?

Answer 35

Research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia often have enlarged ventricles, which are fluid-filled cavities in the brain.

Question 36

What areas of the brain are typically associated with enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia?

Answer 36

Enlarged ventricles are particularly linked to damage in the central brain areas and the prefrontal cortex, which are crucial for cognitive and emotional processing.

Question 37

What symptoms are often linked to enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia?

Answer 37

Enlarged ventricles are associated with negative symptoms such as avolition (lack of motivation) and speech poverty.

Question 38

What did Johnstone et al. (1976) discover in their research on enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia?

Answer 38

Johnstone et al. found that individuals with schizophrenia consistently showed enlarged ventricles compared to those without the disorder, suggesting a loss of brain tissue.

Question 39

How do enlarged ventricles support the neural correlates explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 39

Enlarged ventricles indicate brain damage, particularly in areas responsible for cognitive and emotional functions, supporting the idea that structural abnormalities are linked to schizophrenia.

Question 40

What brain areas are associated with grey matter reduction in schizophrenia?

Answer 40

Grey matter reduction is often observed in the frontal and temporal lobes, areas linked to language, memory, and social interaction.

Question 41

How does grey matter reduction contribute to schizophrenia symptoms?

Answer 41

Grey matter reduction in the frontal and temporal lobes is believed to contribute to cognitive impairments such as difficulties with language, memory, and social interaction.

Question 42

What are white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia associated with?

Answer 42

White matter abnormalities are particularly found in pathways responsible for communication between different brain regions.

Question 43

How do white matter abnormalities affect individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 43

Disruptions in white matter pathways may contribute to disorganised thinking, which is a common symptom of schizophrenia.

Question 44

How do grey and white matter abnormalities support the neural correlates explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 44

Abnormalities in both grey and white matter support the idea that schizophrenia is linked to structural brain changes, particularly in areas related to cognitive and emotional functions.

Question 45

What brain area is crucial for decision-making and cognitive processes, and is often abnormal in schizophrenia?

Answer 45

The prefrontal cortex, which shows reduced activity, particularly in relation to negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Question 46

Which brain area is linked to auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia?

Answer 46

The temporal lobes, which are involved in auditory processing, have been linked to auditory hallucinations.

Question 47

What role does the hippocampus play, and how is it affected in schizophrenia?

Answer 47

The hippocampus is involved in memory and learning, and abnormalities in this area have been observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

Question 48

How does reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex relate to schizophrenia?

Answer 48

Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex is particularly associated with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as lack of motivation or speech poverty.

Question 49

What is the significance of abnormalities in the temporal lobes in schizophrenia?

Answer 49

Abnormalities in the temporal lobes are associated with auditory hallucinations, one of the most common positive symptoms in schizophrenia.

Question 50

What did Vita et al.'s meta-analysis of 19 studies reveal about the brains of individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 50

Vita et al. found that individuals with schizophrenia showed a significant reduction in grey matter volume, particularly in the temporal and frontal lobes.

Question 51

How does the duration of schizophrenia relate to grey matter reduction?

Answer 51

The longer an individual has suffered from schizophrenia, the greater the reduction in grey matter, according to Vita et al.'s research.

Question 52

Which areas of the brain showed the greatest reduction in grey matter in individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 52

The temporal and frontal lobes showed the greatest reduction in grey matter in individuals with schizophrenia, as found by Vita et al.

Question 53

How does Vita et al.'s research support the neural correlates explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 53

Vita et al.'s findings support the neural correlates explanation by showing a significant association between structural abnormalities, like grey matter reduction, and schizophrenia.

Question 54

What does the research by Vita et al. suggest about the relationship between brain structure and schizophrenia?

Answer 54

Vita et al.'s research suggests that structural abnormalities, particularly reductions in grey matter, are closely linked to the development and progression of schizophrenia.

Question 55

What is a strength of the neural correlates explanation of schizophrenia regarding practical applications?

Answer 55

A strength is that research identifying structural abnormalities linked to schizophrenia can lead to early intervention strategies.

Question 56

How can early intervention strategies benefit individuals at high risk for schizophrenia?

Answer 56

Early intervention strategies, such as cognitive training or medication, could potentially prevent or reduce the severity of schizophrenia in high-risk individuals.

Question 57

What brain abnormalities can be detected in high-risk individuals to help identify schizophrenia early?

Answer 57

Reduced grey matter and enlarged ventricles are brain abnormalities that may be detected in high-risk individuals to identify schizophrenia early.

Question 58

How does early detection of structural abnormalities impact treatment outcomes for schizophrenia?

Answer 58

Early detection of structural abnormalities, such as reduced grey matter or enlarged ventricles, allows for earlier treatments, potentially improving long-term outcomes for patients.

Question 59

Why is the research on neural correlates important for preventative strategies for schizophrenia?

Answer 59

Neural correlates research helps guide preventative strategies by identifying specific brain abnormalities, enabling early intervention that can reduce the severity or even prevent the onset of schizophrenia.

Question 60

What is a limitation of the neural correlates explanation of schizophrenia regarding enlarged ventricles?

Answer 60

A limitation is that enlarged ventricles may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of schizophrenia.

Question 61

How does the evidence regarding medication resistance challenge the neural correlates explanation?

Answer 61

Studies show that individuals with schizophrenia who are unresponsive to medication are more likely to have enlarged ventricles, suggesting ventricular enlargement is a result of long-term illness rather than a cause.

Question 62

Why might enlarged ventricles be seen as a consequence of schizophrenia?

Answer 62

Enlarged ventricles may be the result of prolonged suffering from schizophrenia, leading to physical deterioration in the brain.

Question 63

What does the idea that enlarged ventricles are a consequence, not a cause, suggest about the neural correlates explanation?

Answer 63

This challenges the neural correlates explanation by suggesting that brain abnormalities might be effects of schizophrenia rather than fundamental causes.

Question 64

How does the possibility that enlarged ventricles are a consequence rather than a cause affect the completeness of the neural correlates explanation?

Answer 64

It challenges the explanation as a complete account of schizophrenia, as it raises the possibility that observed brain abnormalities might not directly cause the disorder.