SZ 16 MARKER
- Created by: 04bbanks
- Created on: 31-10-17 20:36
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- Discuss biological explanations for SZ (16)
- Genetics
- Genes are passed onto the next generation in families.
- Not a single SZ gene but several involved.
- increasing chances of developing SZ
- Research- twin/ family/ adoption studies
- More recently gene-mapping has been used to look for genetic material commonly found among sufferers.
- genes have been linked
- Twin studies suggest a genetic factor impacts SZ. But doesn't consider environemental factors.
- If doctors can locate the faulty gene associated with SZ they could maybe find a way of preventing SZ in the first place, if the faulty gene is present in other family members
- More recently gene-mapping has been used to look for genetic material commonly found among sufferers.
- KETY & INGRAHAM (1992). Prevalence rates of SZ , 10 times higher among genetic than adoptive relatives of SZ.
- Nature vs Nurture : genetics play a greater role than environment
- Dopamine Hypothesis
- Neurotransmitter dopamine is linked to SZ.
- Dopamine acts to increase the rate of firing to neutrons during synapse, which enhances communication between neurons
- Snyder (1976) if too much dopamine is released it can lead to SZ.
- This theory can be supported by medication reducing dopamine levels - lessen symptoms
- Genetics can be linked to dopamine levels
- This theory can be supported by medication reducing dopamine levels - lessen symptoms
- Davis (1991) updated theory as high levels of Dopamine isn't found in every SZ.
- Drugs that prevent symptoms have little to do with inhibiting dopamine levels
- High levels- associated with +, low levels- associated with -
- Drugs that prevent symptoms have little to do with inhibiting dopamine levels
- IRERSEN (1979) post-mortems on people with SZ found an excess of dopamine, suggests neurotransmitter is involved
- No consistent difference of Dopamine levels of sufferers and non-sufferers
- over-simplistic as other neurotransmitters play a part.
- Neural correlates
- Specific parts of the brain can be linked to SZ
- post mortems evidence was limiting but now research involves using various scanning techniques.
- good as it shows the brain in action, clearly shows what part of the brain is active
- Brains of SZ can be compared to non-sufferers
- to identify areas linked to SZ
- Brain abnormalities caused by genetics
- Can compare brain scans to non- sufferer family members. If similar regions are abnormal a genetic link can be made
- JOHNSTONE (1976) SZ - enlarged ventricles, proposes damage to loss of brain tissue. WEYANDT (2000) can be linked to negative symptoms of SZ.
- Some SZ sufferers have enlarge ventricles whereas others don't. Goes against to idea of brain tissue being linked
- Brain scans are a more accurate method than post-mortems. Benefit the individual as if you can locate the region which is active in SZ you can provide the correct drugs
- Genetics
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