Dopamine Hypothesis of schizophrenia

The Dopmine Hypothesis

Looks at the role of Dopamine-a neurotransmitter-as a cause of schizohprenia

The drugs used to treat schizophrenia cause similar symptoms to that of Parkinson's diease, which is known to be caused by low levels of dopamine.

It is therefore assumed that the drugs reduce levels of dopamine by blocking dopamine receptors and, as they sucessfully treat schizophrenia, an excess of dopamine must be the cause of schizophrenia.

AO2

• Lindstroem et al 1999 use PET scans…