Schizophrenia Spectrum Overview
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Questions and Answers

Which type of symptoms in schizophrenia is characterized by the presence of hallucinations and delusions?

  • Affective symptoms
  • Negative symptoms
  • Positive symptoms (correct)
  • Cognitive symptoms

    • What is the primary neurotransmitter involved in the hyperactivity associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

  • Dopamine (correct)
  • Norepinephrine
  • Serotonin
  • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

    • Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

  • Avolition (correct)
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Disorganized speech

    • What cognitive symptom of schizophrenia impacts the ability to hold and manipulate information?

    <p>Impaired working memory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pathway is primarily implicated in the (reduced) dopaminergic activity associated with negative symptoms?

    <p>Mesocortical pathway (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does dysfunction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex contribute to negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

    <p>Decreased glutamatergic activity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of disorganized behavior in schizophrenia?

    <p>Inappropriate or unpredictable actions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom reflects an inability to experience pleasure and is categorized as a negative symptom?

    <p>Anhedonia (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

    <p>Increased dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do D2 receptor antagonists help alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia?

    <p>By reducing dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pathway is associated with negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia?

    <p>Mesocortical pathway (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can result from dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway?

    <p>Extrapyramidal symptoms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does reduced glutamate activity affect schizophrenia?

    <p>It impairs synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drugs are known to block NMDA receptors and can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms?

    <p>PCP and ketamine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major role of GABA in the brain?

    <p>It modulates excitatory signals from glutamate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequence arises from impaired GABA signaling in schizophrenia?

    <p>Hyperexcitability and cognitive impairments (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What brain structure alteration is commonly associated with cognitive impairments in schizophrenia?

    <p>Enlarged ventricles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter's dysregulation is primarily linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

    <p>Dopamine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is associated with deficits in working memory and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia?

    <p>Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Dysregulation of which neurotransmitter is believed to contribute to poor inhibitory control in schizophrenia?

    <p>GABA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structural brain change is indicative of negative symptoms like lack of motivation in schizophrenia?

    <p>Reduced brain tissue volume (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The loss of which brain matter is associated with cognitive decline in schizophrenia?

    <p>Gray matter (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of antipsychotic medications in treating schizophrenia?

    <p>Targeting dopamine receptors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pathway hypoactivity is specifically related to negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia?

    <p>Mesocortical pathway (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    NMDA receptor dysfunction

    Impairment of NMDA receptor function, leading to cognitive decline.

    GABAergic signaling

    Regulation of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, affects control and behavior.

    Mesolimbic pathway hyperactivity

    Increased activity in this pathway causes positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

    Mesocortical pathway hypoactivity

    Decreased activity in this pathway leads to negative and cognitive symptoms.

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    Enlarged ventricles

    Increased size of brain ventricles associated with cognitive impairments.

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    Loss of gray matter

    Reduced brain tissue volume, particularly affecting decision-making abilities.

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    Dopamine hypothesis

    Theory suggesting dysregulated dopamine activity causes schizophrenia symptoms.

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    Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)

    Area of the brain with reduced activity, impacting memory and decision-making.

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    Positive Symptoms

    Excessive or distorted functions indicating a loss of touch with reality.

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    Hallucinations

    Perceptions of stimuli, like voices or visions, without real external sources.

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    Delusions

    Strong false beliefs maintained despite contradictory evidence.

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    Negative Symptoms

    Absence or reduction of normal behaviors, leading to emotional blunting.

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    Affective Flattening

    Reduced emotional expression, showing little to no reaction.

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    Cognitive Symptoms

    Impairments in thought processes that hinder daily functioning.

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    Impaired Working Memory

    Difficulty in holding and manipulating information mentally.

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    Dopamine Pathways

    Neural pathways affected in schizophrenia, influencing both positive and negative symptoms.

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    Mesolimbic Pathway

    A pathway linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia due to increased dopamine release.

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    D2 Receptor Antagonists

    Antipsychotic drugs that reduce dopamine activity to alleviate positive symptoms.

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    Mesocortical Pathway

    A pathway involved in negative symptoms and cognitive deficits due to decreased dopamine.

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    Extrapyramidal Symptoms

    Motor symptoms like tremors and rigidity due to dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway.

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    NMDA Receptors

    Receptors whose reduced activity is linked to schizophrenia, affecting learning and memory.

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    PCP and Ketamine

    Drugs that block NMDA receptors and can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms.

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    GABA Dysfunction

    Reduced GABA levels contribute to hyperexcitability and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.

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    Study Notes

    Schizophrenia Spectrum

    • Schizophrenia is characterized by distorted perceptions and normal functions, often associated with increased dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway.

    • Positive Symptoms: These involve excessive or distorted normal functions, and include hallucinations (perceiving stimuli without external input), delusions (false, strong beliefs despite evidence), disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior (unpredictable or inappropriate actions)

    • Pathophysiology of Positive Symptoms: Positive symptoms are linked to hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway (nucleus accumbens and hippocampus). Dopamine agonists can induce psychotic symptoms, whereas dopamine D2 antagonists can reduce positive symptoms.

    • Negative Symptoms: These involve the absence or reduction of normal behaviors and emotional responses, often leading to social withdrawal and emotional blunting. Examples include flattened affect (reduced emotional expression), anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure), alogia (limited speech output), and avolition (lack of motivation).

    • Pathophysiology of Negative Symptoms: Negative symptoms are thought to be caused by hypoactivity of dopamine in the mesocortical pathway, which projects to the prefrontal cortex. They are also associated with decreased glutamatergic activity and reduced GABA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

    • Cognitive Symptoms: These impact a person's thought processes, severely impairing daily functioning. Examples include working memory deficits, poor executive functioning (issues with planning, problem-solving and task switching), reduced attention and concentration.

    • Pathophysiology of Cognitive Symptoms: These issues are linked to dopamine hypoactivity in the mesocortical pathway and NMDA receptor dysfunction. Dysregulation of GABAergic signaling in the prefrontal cortex may also contribute to poor inhibitory control.

    Summary of Pathophysiology Overview

    • Mesolimbic pathway hyperactivity: causes positive symptoms
    • Mesocortical pathway hypoactivity: causes negative and cognitive symptoms
    • GABA and glutamate dysregulation: contributes further to cognitive decline and affective flattening.

    Neuroanatomical and Neurotransmitter Alterations

    • Enlarged Ventricles: Reduced brain tissue volume is often linked to cognitive impairment and negative symptoms.
    • Loss of Gray Matter: Schizophrenia is associated with cortical thinning and loss of gray matter in the frontal and temporal lobes.
    • Abnormalities in Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC): Reduced activity leads to working memory, attention, and decision-making deficits. This can contribute to negative symptoms and cognitive decline.
    • Dopamine Hypothesis: Dysregulated dopamine activity in different brain regions contributes to schizophrenia's symptoms.
      • Mesolimbic pathway (positive symptoms): Increased dopamine release is linked to positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia). D2 receptor antagonists (antipsychotic drugs) reduce these.
      • Mesocortical pathway (negative and cognitive symptoms): Low dopamine activity contributes to these.
    • Glutamate Hypothesis: Underactivation of NMDA receptors, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, affects synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Drugs like PCP and ketamine can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms due to NMDA receptor blockage.
    • GABA Dysfunction: Reduced GABA activity (particularly in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) leads to hyperexcitability. This affects cognitive performance and may contribute to both negative and cognitive symptoms.
    • Serotonin Dysfunction: Elevated serotonin activity may contribute to positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions.) Atypical antipsychotics (target both dopamine and serotonin) can be effective.
    • Interconnected Neural Circuits: The limbic system and thalamus display dysregulation in schizophrenia
    • These combined factors contribute to the complex and multifaceted pathology of schizophrenia.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the Schizophrenia Spectrum, detailing the positive and negative symptoms and their associated pathophysiology. Gain an understanding of how dopamine activity influences the manifestations of this complex mental health condition.

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