NRNP 6635 Final Exam – Schizophrenia-
Updated 2024-2025
Genetic and environmental risk factors appear to act via a common pathway
of disrupting the function of 1 or more neurotransmitter components.
Dopaminergic theory: Almost all drugs with antipsychotic properties block the
dopaminergic D2 receptor.
However, antipsychotics are only 70% effective and clozapine, the most effective
antipsychotic for treating schizophrenia, is a weak D2 antagonist.
Hyperactivity of dopamine D2 receptor neurotransmission in subcortical, and limbic
brain regions contribute to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Hypo functionality of
dopamine D1 receptor neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex contributes to both
negative and cognitive symptoms. - CORRECT ANSWERS-Pathophysiology of
schizophrenia part 1
Other theories:
Hypofunction of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor. Dysfunctional
gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) interneurons.
Dysfunctional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Pathophysiology of schizophrenia part 2
Patients with schizophrenia also have physical abnormalities of the brain tissue, which
can be seen in neuroimaging studies.
Loss of cortical tissue volume, including the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, thalamus,
hippocampus, and amygdala.
Ventricular enlargement (third and lateral).
Decreased symmetry.
Hypoactivity of the frontal lobes and hyperactivity of the basal ganglia. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Physical abnormalities of the brain in schizophrenia
Impairment of thoughts and affect, characterized by a distorted perception of reality.
The impairments are severe enough to affect the patient's ability to participate in social
events or to form relationships.
Patients with schizophrenia often lack awareness about their illness (insight).
Co-existing substance use disorder and dependence is common ("dual diagnosis").
Symptoms can be classified into premorbid, positive, negative, and cognitive. -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Clinical Presentation of schizophrenia
Easy to recognize.
Delusions:
1. False, fixed beliefs maintained by the patient despite being contradicted by reality or
logical arguments.
, 2. Can include grandiosity, ideas of reference, paranoia, persecutory, erotomania,
jealousy, and somatic delusions.
Hallucinations:
1. Perceptual abnormalities in which sensory experiences occur in the absence of
external stimuli.
2. Can be auditory (most common), visual, somatic, gustatory, and olfactory.
a psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized
speech, and/or diminished inappropriate emotional expression. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Schizophrenia
The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are traditionally separated into 2 groups:
positive (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior) and negative
(flat affect, avolition, anhedonia, poor attention, and alogia). - CORRECT ANSWERS-
signs and symptoms of schizophrenia
a decline in both cognitive and social functioning that often precedes the development
of florid psychosis. - CORRECT ANSWERS-Schizophrenia is associated with
The exact etiology of schizophrenia is unknown, although it is thought to be linked to an
increase in dopaminergic activity.
No single etiological factor is responsible for schizophrenia. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Etiology of Schizophrenia
Treatment includes antipsychotics in conjunction with behavioral therapy. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic serious mental disorder characterized by loss of contact with
reality and manifested by two main symptoms: hallucinations and delusions. -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Schizophrenia definition
Men and women are equally affected, but with a slight difference in the age of
onsetMen: average age of onset = 23 years Women: average age of onset = 26 years -
CORRECT ANSWERS-onset of schizophrenia
The disorder manifests when a person with a genetic predisposition is exposed to one
of many environmental stressors.
- genetic predisposition
- environmental stressors - CORRECT ANSWERS-Etiological factors of schizophrenia
Environmental stressors are believed to be triggers of schizophrenia rather than true
causes of the disorder.
-Childhood trauma
- Residence in an urban area
- Social isolation
-Frequent cannabis use in early adolescence
- Migration
Updated 2024-2025
Genetic and environmental risk factors appear to act via a common pathway
of disrupting the function of 1 or more neurotransmitter components.
Dopaminergic theory: Almost all drugs with antipsychotic properties block the
dopaminergic D2 receptor.
However, antipsychotics are only 70% effective and clozapine, the most effective
antipsychotic for treating schizophrenia, is a weak D2 antagonist.
Hyperactivity of dopamine D2 receptor neurotransmission in subcortical, and limbic
brain regions contribute to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Hypo functionality of
dopamine D1 receptor neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex contributes to both
negative and cognitive symptoms. - CORRECT ANSWERS-Pathophysiology of
schizophrenia part 1
Other theories:
Hypofunction of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor. Dysfunctional
gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) interneurons.
Dysfunctional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Pathophysiology of schizophrenia part 2
Patients with schizophrenia also have physical abnormalities of the brain tissue, which
can be seen in neuroimaging studies.
Loss of cortical tissue volume, including the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, thalamus,
hippocampus, and amygdala.
Ventricular enlargement (third and lateral).
Decreased symmetry.
Hypoactivity of the frontal lobes and hyperactivity of the basal ganglia. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Physical abnormalities of the brain in schizophrenia
Impairment of thoughts and affect, characterized by a distorted perception of reality.
The impairments are severe enough to affect the patient's ability to participate in social
events or to form relationships.
Patients with schizophrenia often lack awareness about their illness (insight).
Co-existing substance use disorder and dependence is common ("dual diagnosis").
Symptoms can be classified into premorbid, positive, negative, and cognitive. -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Clinical Presentation of schizophrenia
Easy to recognize.
Delusions:
1. False, fixed beliefs maintained by the patient despite being contradicted by reality or
logical arguments.
, 2. Can include grandiosity, ideas of reference, paranoia, persecutory, erotomania,
jealousy, and somatic delusions.
Hallucinations:
1. Perceptual abnormalities in which sensory experiences occur in the absence of
external stimuli.
2. Can be auditory (most common), visual, somatic, gustatory, and olfactory.
a psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized
speech, and/or diminished inappropriate emotional expression. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Schizophrenia
The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are traditionally separated into 2 groups:
positive (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior) and negative
(flat affect, avolition, anhedonia, poor attention, and alogia). - CORRECT ANSWERS-
signs and symptoms of schizophrenia
a decline in both cognitive and social functioning that often precedes the development
of florid psychosis. - CORRECT ANSWERS-Schizophrenia is associated with
The exact etiology of schizophrenia is unknown, although it is thought to be linked to an
increase in dopaminergic activity.
No single etiological factor is responsible for schizophrenia. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Etiology of Schizophrenia
Treatment includes antipsychotics in conjunction with behavioral therapy. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic serious mental disorder characterized by loss of contact with
reality and manifested by two main symptoms: hallucinations and delusions. -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Schizophrenia definition
Men and women are equally affected, but with a slight difference in the age of
onsetMen: average age of onset = 23 years Women: average age of onset = 26 years -
CORRECT ANSWERS-onset of schizophrenia
The disorder manifests when a person with a genetic predisposition is exposed to one
of many environmental stressors.
- genetic predisposition
- environmental stressors - CORRECT ANSWERS-Etiological factors of schizophrenia
Environmental stressors are believed to be triggers of schizophrenia rather than true
causes of the disorder.
-Childhood trauma
- Residence in an urban area
- Social isolation
-Frequent cannabis use in early adolescence
- Migration
