Explanations of Schizophrenia

Brain Structure

• It is suggested that schizophrenia is due to abnormal brain development, which is triggered by brain maturation during early adulthood.
• Schizophrenics have small brains and enlarged ventricles. 
• Schizophrenics have reduced metabolic rates in the pre-frontal cortex.
• 25% of schizophrenic patients have enlarged ventricles, which are caused by the death of brain tissues. Enlarged ventricles may be due to the environment.
• Genetics may have lead to the development of a smaller brain.
• During birth, delivery complications could lead to reduced oxygen in the brain which leads to a loss of grey matter.
• Various factors during foetal development may cause brain lesions and can therefore make individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia.

Dopamine Hypothesis

• It is suggested that faulty neurotransmitter functioning is the problem.
• Dopamine receptors can be present in the brain in different numbers with the development in one area possibly inhibiting development in another. It is thought that schizophrenics have a…