The aetiological model of Schizophrenia known as the Dopamine Hypothesis broadly refers to:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The Dopamine Hypothesis states that schizophrenia is broadly associated with excessive dopamine neurotransmission in certain brain pathways, particularly the mesolimbic system, leading to positive psychotic symptoms.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter with pathway-specific effects: mesolimbic (reward, psychosis), mesocortical (cognition, negative symptoms), nigrostriatal (movement), tuberoinfundibular (endocrine).
- "Positive" symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) are linked to mesolimbic hyperdopaminergia; "negative" and cognitive symptoms are often linked to mesocortical hypodopaminergia in revised models.
- Typical antipsychotic drugs block D2 dopamine receptors; clinical efficacy correlates with D2 blockade.
- Psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamines) increase synaptic dopamine and can induce psychotic states in healthy people, supporting the dopamine–psychosis link.

2) Step-by-step reasoning process
Step 1: Observe that many effective antipsychotics are D2 antagonists; their therapeutic effect implicates dopamine overactivity.
Step 2: Note that amphetamine-induced increases in dopamine produce psychosis-like symptoms, mimicking schizophrenia’s positive symptoms.
Step 3: Imaging studies (PET/SPECT) demonstrate increased presynaptic dopamine synthesis and release or increased D2 receptor availability in striatal regions of some patients with schizophrenia.
Step 4: Integrate these clinical, pharmacological, and imaging findings to conclude that dopamine excess in central nervous system pathways underlies key features of schizophrenia.

3) Calculations
- No numerical calculations apply; reasoning is based on pharmacologic and imaging evidence.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
The option "Excess dopamine activity in the Central Nervous System" summarizes the core of the Dopamine Hypothesis: hyperactivity of dopaminergic signaling—especially in mesolimbic circuits—contributes to psychotic symptoms.

5) Why other options are incorrect
- "Contaminated dopamine in the brain": not a recognized scientific concept.
- "Allergic sensitivity to dopamine": allergy mechanisms are immune-mediated and unrelated to neurotransmitter dysregulation in schizophrenia.
- "Insufficient dopamine activity in the Central Nervous System": the opposite claim; while some models note cortical dopamine insufficiency for negative/cognitive symptoms, the Dopamine Hypothesis broadly refers to excess dopamine activity as the primary concept.

Conclusion: Therefore, the correct choice—"Excess dopamine activity in the Central Nervous System."—matches the provided answer.

The aetiological model of Schizophrenia known as the Dopamine Hypothesis broadly refers to: Single choice

Similar Questions

The biochemical theory of schizophrenia known as the Dopamine hypothesis refers to:

The positive symptoms are thought to be driven by:

According to Xenophanes, what should be avoided at a symposium?

What is "kottabos"?

Why are there so many naked figures in vase iconography?

Why was it necessary to have a "hydria" as part of the ceramic vessels used at a symposium?

For what uses other than sympotic were Greek ceramic vessels used?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler