Neurobiology of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia represents a major mental illness, or possibly a group of illnesses, manifested chiefly by disordered thought processes. The thinking disturbance leads to difficulties in communication, in interpersonal relationships, and in reality testing.

Primary symptoms:

1. Affective disturbance

2. Associative disturbance

3. Autism

Main accessory symptoms:

1. Delusions

2. Hallucinations

Schizophrenia is found 4 times more frequently among biological relatives than in the general population.

Biochemical Hypotheses of Schizophrenia

1. Endogenously formed psychotogens:

2. Dopamine hyperactivity

a. All neuroleptics antagonize dopamine receptors: dopamine - sensitive cyclase; receptor binding

b. Prolactin release by neuroleptics

c. Post-mortem receptor changes

d. Sensitivity to dopamine agonists

e. Resemblance of paranoid schizophrenia to amphetamine psychosis

Correlation between Clinically Effective Doses of Antipsychotic Drugs and D₂ Receptor Binding

I
ncreased D₂-like Receptors in Schizophrenic Brains

Category: Pharmacology Notes