3 types
- Biochemical
- Genetic
- Brain abnormality
Biochemical
Looks at abnormal number of neurotransmitters
Messages transmitted electrically around the body neurons + each links to the next via a
synapse.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain which are released from synaptic vesicles and
are either excitatory or inhibitory
Neurons - cell which communicates messages through chemical and electrical signals
through the limbic system
Monoamines - group of neurotransmitters which are important in regulating function of
limbic system - noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine
Serotonin = deficiency in neurotransmitters and hormones.
Once the postsynaptic cell is stimulated, the serotonin is taken back into the presynaptic
cell to wait for more stimulation. If the levels of serotonin are low then the info doesn’t get
passed well across the gap so it’s taken back.
Rampello - had multiple neurotransmitters lacking
Noradrenaline present in hypothalamus and hippocampus. Responsible for heart rate,
concentration, attention and stuff.
Schizophrenia
Too much dopamine
Positive symptoms due to increase in mesolimbic pathway in the limbic system + negative
symptoms bcs of mesocortical pathway.
Drugs that block dopamine receptors in the postsynaptic receptors can reduce the
symptoms of schizophrenia (Seeman). Antipsychotic drugs bind themselves to the
dopamine, preventing an overload of dopamine reaching postsynaptic cell
- Biochemical
- Genetic
- Brain abnormality
Biochemical
Looks at abnormal number of neurotransmitters
Messages transmitted electrically around the body neurons + each links to the next via a
synapse.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain which are released from synaptic vesicles and
are either excitatory or inhibitory
Neurons - cell which communicates messages through chemical and electrical signals
through the limbic system
Monoamines - group of neurotransmitters which are important in regulating function of
limbic system - noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine
Serotonin = deficiency in neurotransmitters and hormones.
Once the postsynaptic cell is stimulated, the serotonin is taken back into the presynaptic
cell to wait for more stimulation. If the levels of serotonin are low then the info doesn’t get
passed well across the gap so it’s taken back.
Rampello - had multiple neurotransmitters lacking
Noradrenaline present in hypothalamus and hippocampus. Responsible for heart rate,
concentration, attention and stuff.
Schizophrenia
Too much dopamine
Positive symptoms due to increase in mesolimbic pathway in the limbic system + negative
symptoms bcs of mesocortical pathway.
Drugs that block dopamine receptors in the postsynaptic receptors can reduce the
symptoms of schizophrenia (Seeman). Antipsychotic drugs bind themselves to the
dopamine, preventing an overload of dopamine reaching postsynaptic cell
