Lecture 5 – Schizophrenia: Genetic and Neurophysiological Insights

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing the genetic, anatomical, and imaging concepts introduced in Lecture 5 on schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior.

Genetic Predisposition

An inherited vulnerability that increases the likelihood of developing schizophrenia when combined with other factors.

Environmental Factors

Non-genetic influences (e.g., prenatal stress, social adversity) that interact with genes but are insufficient alone to cause schizophrenia.

Familial Aggregation

The tendency for schizophrenia to appear more frequently among biological relatives than in the general population.

Identical-Twin Concordance

The ~48% probability that both monozygotic twins will develop schizophrenia, illustrating strong—but not total—genetic influence.

Base-Rate of Schizophrenia

The prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population, roughly 1.3%.

Cerebral Ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Enlarged Ventricles

An anatomical abnormality often observed in schizophrenia indicating larger-than-normal ventricular spaces.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that circulates through the brain’s ventricles, removing metabolic waste and providing cushioning.

Reduced Neural Tissue

Decreased volume of brain matter, particularly noted in temporal and frontal regions of some individuals with schizophrenia.

Frontal Hypoactivity

Lower-than-normal functional activity in the frontal lobes, frequently detected in schizophrenia patients.

Temporal Lobe

Brain region involved in auditory processing and memory; shows structural and functional changes in schizophrenia.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

Imaging method that maps brain activity by measuring uptake of radiolabeled substances such as glucose.

Radiolabeled Glucose

Glucose tagged with a radioactive tracer used in PET scans to visualize metabolically active brain areas.