sz- neurotransmitters

Question 1

What other neurotransmitters can be linked to schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Serotonin and glutamate

Question 2

What does serotonin do?

Answer 2

It regulates dopamine levels in areas such as the mesolimbic pathways (low levels of serotonin= high levels of dopamine). It is also involved in mood, sleep and low levels can also be linked to depression and anxiety.

Question 3

What does glutamate do?

Answer 3

Glutamate is the brains main excitatory neurotransmitter. It plays a role in learning and memory.

Question 4

What can high levels of glutamate activity in the PFC lead to?

Answer 4

Higher glutamate activity in the PFC results in an increase in the activity of the dopaminergic neurons in the VTA.

Question 5

What can low levels/deficiencies of glutamate lead to?

Answer 5

A lack of glutamate can explain why sz may have more difficulty in sustaining attention, cognitive control and working memory. Glutamate failure in the cerebral cortex may lead to negative symptoms. Failure in the basal ganglia leads to positive symptoms.

Question 7

What can low levels of serotonin lead to?

Answer 7

Negative symptoms- reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal and a lack of motivation which are common in schizophrenics.
Positive symptoms- as it cannot regulate dopamine levels in areas such as the mesolimbic pathways, this can lead to intensified emotions etc.

Question 8

What other neurotransmitter can be linked to sz?

Answer 8

GABA- this has a calming influence. Those with sz have lower levels of GABA, can explain the hallucinations etc.