PSYB65H3 Chapter 27: CHAPTER 27.docx
Document Summary
Although the results are variable, most researchers agree that schizophrenic brains weigh less than normal brains and that the ventricles are enlarged. Schizophrenics have also been suggested to have smaller frontal lobes or at least a reduction in the number of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Studies of cellular structure have shown abnormalities in both the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Important pathway in prefrontal cortex dopaminergic pathway from the tegmental area. Interference with this disrupts cognitive tasks in lab animals. Antipsychotic drugs (aka neuroleptic drugs): principally affect psychomotor activity. A person can induce schizophrenic symptoms if they take drugs like: cocaine, amphetamine, l-dopa), which have dopamine components. Other chemical abnormalities have been found in patients with schizophrenia. Depressed patients given a certain drug were found to have their monoamines supply depleted these include: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Lead to idea that depletion of monoamines contributed to depression.
