Biological explanations for Sz

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  • Created by: EloiseMay
  • Created on: 21-03-18 10:45

AO1

Sz runs in families: There is a link between the degree of genetic similarity and shared risk of Sz. Gottesman found that the risk of sharing Sz with DZ twin is 47%, with sibling is 9%, parents 6% Candidate genes: Sz is polygenic and aetiologically heterogeneous. Ripke gathered data from genome-wide studies. Genetic makeup of 37,000 patients was compared to 118,000 controls - 108 separate genetic variations were associated with increased ris of Sz. 

Hyperdopaminergia in the subcortex: High levels of dopamine in subcortex. E.g. excess dopamine in Broca's area as cause of speech poverty.                                          Hypodopaminergia in the cortex: Goldman-Ravik identified the role of low levels of dopamine in prefrontal cortex in negative symptoms. Both could be correct explanations.

Neural correlates: Avolition - the ventral striatum is believed to be involved in the aniticipation of a reward. Abnormality of the area can cause avolition. Juckel found lower activity of ventral striatum in Sz patients. They found a negative correlation of low activity of the area and more severity of negative symptoms. Allen scanned the brains of those experiencing hallucations whilst the pre-recorded speech…

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