Biological explanation for schizophrenia(A03)-Topic 2

TOPIC 2- biological explanations for schizophrenia

STRENTH(1) - biological explanation

One strength is the strong evidence base. For example, Family studies such as Gottesman show risk increases with genetic similarity, Twin study found 33% concordance rate for MZ twins and 7% for DZ twins and Adoption studies show that biological children of parents with schizophrenia are at greater risk even if they grow up in an adoptive family. This shows that some people are more vulnerable to schizophrenia because of their genes. Therefore, supporting evidence my increase the validity of the biological explanation, therefore we can more confidently draw conclusions from this explanation and make use of it when referring to schizophrenia.

LIMITATION(1)- biological explanation

One limitation is evidence for environmental risk factors. For example, biological risk factors include birth complications and smoking in teenage years and psychological risk factors include childhood trauma, e.g. 67% with schizophrenia reported atleast one childhood trauma. This means that genes alone cannot provide a complete explanation for schizophrenia. Therefore, the biological explanation takes a purely nature-based approach, which limits its validity as it overlooks environmental influences, suggesting that an interactionist approach incorporating both biological and psychosocial factors may provide a more accurate explanation of schizophrenia.

STRENGTH(2)- dopamine hypothesis explanation

One strength is support for dopamine in the symptoms of schizophrenia. For example, Amphetamines mimic symptoms, Antipsychotic drugs reduce intensity of symptoms and candidate genes act on the production of DA or DA receptors. This strongly suggest that dopamine is involved in the symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, understanding dopamine’s role has real-world value, as it has led to effective drug treatments that reduce symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

LIMITATION (2)- dopamine hypothesis explanation

One limitation is evidence for a central role for glutamate. For example, Post-mortem and scanning studies found raised glutamate in people with schizophrenia. Moreover, several candidate genes for schizophrenia are believed to be involved in glutamate production or processing. This means that a strong case can be made for a role for other neurotransmitters in schizophrenia. Therefore, focusing solely on dopamine is biologically reductionist, as it oversimplifies a complex disorder that likely involves multiple interacting neurotransmitter systems.