Critical Review

Schizophrenia

Brain cells known as neurons and chemicals called neurotransmitters make up the brain. In case of an imbalance of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, it triggers symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Serotonin, also a neurotransmitter also plays a significant role in triggering schizophrenia. Regular brain activity and brain activity associated with schizophrenia differ a lot in that schizophrenia lead to an imbalance as too many neurotransmitters are released in the neurons.

Dopamine as a neurotransmitter, according to the ‘dopamine hypothesis' is responsible for the symptoms of schizophrenia if it is produced in excess in the brain. As a countermeasure anti-psychotic medications are applied to counter the excessive production and transmission of dopamine. This, in turn, works to improve and treat the symptoms of schizophrenia.

The neurotransmitter serotonin also plays a crucial role in triggering the symptoms of schizophrenia. To treat this anti-psychotic medication are used to treat the symptoms by blocking serotonin transmissions. Patients can use the medications to block serotonin and dopamine transmissions, for example, Zyprexa, Clozaril, and Risperdal in case the ‘dopamine only' or the ‘serotonin only' medications do not work for them.

Receptor theories also glutamatergic models are based on the effects of PCP and ketamine agents which induce psychotomimetic effects that work to block neurotransmission of NMDA type glutamate receptor. Glutamatergic approaches are used to treat negative symptoms, and cognitive problems brought about by schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia affects a wide range of bodily functions like cognition, behavior, and emotions. Symptoms may vary, but some common symptoms are hallucinations, disorganized speech, delusions and impaired ability to function as discussed.

· Hallucinations. The most common type of hallucination in schizophrenia is hearing voices. To the affected individuals they term the experiences as normal

· Disorganized thought and speech. This involves putting together words in a meaningless way that does not make sense or cannot be easily understood. It leads to the impairment of communication as the responses from the individual may be completely unrelated to the questions or topic at hand.

· Delusions. They are not based on reality. For example, the feeling of being harassed or harmed or thoughts that some words or gestures are being directed you and maybe a figment of your imagination.

· Disorganized motor behavior. For example excessive movement, complete lack of response, resistance to instructions and becoming easily agitated.

Schizophrenia may be caused by excess dopamine and serotonin receptors which when produced and causes an imbalance may bring about the symptoms mentioned above. Another neurotransmitter that is a contributing factor to schizophrenia is glutamate. Glutamate is responsible for learning, formation and encoding memory in the brain. Using some drugs like PCP which are hallucinogenic may block glutamate receptors bringing about the paranoia that may trigger schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is restructured the brain especially the lateral brain ventricles, the ventricles appeared enlarged and filled with fluid especially in individuals with schizophrenia leading to the loss in brain tissues.

In the body, schizophrenia may be responsible for dysfunction in the body due to changes in the brain. This may trigger psychosis leading to a growth in the tumor. It may also result in physical health disorders. Schizophrenia may result in the excess production of steroid hormone known as cortisol, which results in the increased weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Neurotransmitters refer to the group of chemicals released by neurons to activate or stimulate other neighboring neurons allowing for impulses to be passed from one cell to the other in a simultaneous way throughout the nervous system. In case this group of chemicals is produced in excess or too little there will be an imbalance that will result in the restructuring of the body to cope with the sudden change. This change in anatomical features may result in disorders related to the neurotransmission in this case schizophrenia.

The resultant symptoms will be affected by the increase in levels of dopamine or serotonin.

Behavioral changes brought about by schizophrenia include, unusual body movements, problems socializing, having irregular or inaudible speech that makes one hard to understand or unable to communicate effectively. Patients with schizophrenia have shown the unusual structure in the brain structures and also the functions in the frontal and limbic regions of the brain. There is reduced functional connectivity between the ventral prefrontal region and amygdala part of the brain. This further leads to self-rated aggression from the individual.

Neurotransmitter changes in schizophrenia revolve around two transmitters that are dopamine and glutamate. Dopamine is involved in feelings of well-being and pleasure that is easily altered by some illegal drugs like cocaine. High concentrations of dopamine in some parts of the brain may leave the individual experiencing symptoms of paranoid thinking, further on leading to schizophrenia.

References

British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, "Basic Facts about Schizophrenia," Available online. URL: http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/ p40-sc02.html#Head_4. Downloaded on November 13, 2006

Harrison et al., "Recovery from Psychotic Illness: A 15- and 25-year International Follow-up Study." British Journal of Psychiatry 178 (2001): 506 - 517.

J.N. Butcher, S. Mineka, and J.M. Hooley, Abnormal Psychology. Pearson: Boston, 2004.