Author Question: Explain why research involving PCP may offer important clues as to the causes of positive and ... (Read 61 times)

sam.t96 · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Explain why research involving PCP may offer important clues as to the causes of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain why it is thought that unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are distinct syndromes.

What will be an ideal response?

spencer.martell · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: PCP induces positive and negative symptoms. Reduced activity of the prefrontal cortex is associated with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Chronic abuse of PCP reduces the activity of the frontal lobes. The dorsolateral frontal cortex, in turn, projects to the VTA, which projects to the accumbens. Activation of the dorsolateral frontal cortex decreases the release of dopamine within the accumbens; presumably, hypofrontality results in increased release of dopamine in the accumbens (and the positive symptoms).

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Unipolar depression occurs without mania and is more likely to be noted in women than men. Bipolar disorder represents alternating periods of depression and of mania (euphoria). A variety of treatments exist for unipolar depression (MAOI, tricyclics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ECT, sleep deprivation), while lithium is an effective treatment for bipolar disorder.