Psychology: Schizophrenia, Diagnostic Tools, and Brain Structure

What is the DSM-5?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

What is the RDoC?

Research Domain Criteria: a new initiative that aims to guide the classification and understanding of mental disorders by revealing the basic processes that give rise to them

What defines the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Behaviors that are added, includes : Delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking

What are hallucinations?

false sensory experiences

What are delusions?

false beliefs

What is disorganized thinking?

disjointed and incoherent thought processes

What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Features of normal cognition or behavior that are lost. Includes flat effect, and impoverished thought and speech

What is the DISC1 gene?

mutation of a gene related to schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder

What part of the brain structure is different in people with schizophrenia?

Bigger latter ventricles, and less gray matter

what is hypofrontality?

decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex

What NT activity is abnormal in patients in patients with schizophrenia ?

Dopamine (more), Glutamate (less)

What is a lobotomy?

surgical separation of the frontal lobes from the rest of the brain