Biological Schizophrenia Studies

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Schizophrenia is a severe and complex mental illness, affecting an estimated one percent of the population (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Schizophrenia is a challenging disorder that makes it difficult to distinguish between what is real and unreal, think clearly, manage emotions, and relate to others. No single cause has been found however scientists do believe there are several factors that can cause Schizophrenia such as biological and environmental causes (Compton, Esterberg & Broussard, 2008). However the purpose of this review is to compare and evaluate the evidence of biological factors of Schizophrenia. This review will also be related to own clinical practice and experience where possible and implications for advanced practiced will be…show more content…
This is done by studying MRI scans that measures the quantitative volumes of brain regions in first episode of schizophrenia patients and in healthy controls. This study concludes that MRI scans shows brain abnormalities in first episode of schizophrenia. As a result this study could be used to conclude that brain abnormality can be a cause for developing schizophrenia however other studies should investigate when the brain abnormality occurred if possible and also the progression over time. Another study by Sismanlar, Anik, Coskun, Aaolu, Karakaya, & Yavuz (2010), examines the brain capacity differences of the frontal temporal area in offspring of schizophrenic people in comparison to normal. Twenty six offspring from chronic schizophrenic patients between 8 and 15 years of age and 23 control children were compared from cranial MRI. Hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, corpus callosum, frontal, and temporal lobe volumes were measured and compared. The study concluded that the structure of hippocampus formation and corpus callosum were impaired in the children of the schizophrenic patients which suggests a neurodevelopmental abnormality in subjects with genetic high risk for schizophrenia. This then leads to prenatal damage. Doctors believe that many of the brain abnormal brain activities and structures in schizophrenics develop…show more content…
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