Located at the front of the brain and extending back to the central sulcus. It receives signals from all senses in order to coordinate them. Also involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, language, and higher cognitive functions such as thinking, speech and problem solving.
It contains Broca's area, the Prefrontal Cortex, and the Motor Cortex.

Frontal Lobe

Gray matter contains a preponderance of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites, and it is devoid of myelin. It receives and processes information in the brain.

Gray matter

Ventricles are a part of the human brain. They are responsible for holding cerebral spinal fluid. Schizophrenia patients often have large ventricles. Ventricles taking up more space can also imply that other parts of the brain are reduced (or deducted) in terms of their size. 

Ventricles in the Brain

Based on the provided case study, explain how the patient's specific brain scan findings are likely related to their observed behavioral and cognitive difficulties.

Clinical Application: Brain Anatomy and Behavior

People with schizophrenia often have larger ventricles. In their frontal lobe, they may also have less grey matter, which can impact their ability to execute behavior, talk, and focus.

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- Genetic causes
- Biological causes
- Brain anatomy
- Pregnancy
- Marijuana

Possible Causes of Schrizophrenia

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Substantial evidence indicates a genetic foundation for schizophrenia. For instance, an individual's risk of developing the disorder is approximately six times higher if they have a parent with schizophrenia compared to someone who does not. Furthermore, the likelihood of developing schizophrenia is directly correlated with the degree of genetic similarity to family members who have been diagnosed with the condition.

Hereditary Component of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is often associated with abnormalities in neurotransmitters. Huge amount of dopamine in the limbic system may be responsible for symptoms such as hallucination, while a low amount in the prefrontal cortex is associated with negative schizophrenic symptoms. Theories such as the Dopamine Hypothesis has also been proposed regarding schizophrenia and dopamine. The relationship between dopamine and serotonin is also being studied and explored. 

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia: Neurotransmitters

Brain Anatomy and Schizophrenia

An individual may suffer from schizophrenia later in their life if they experience problems in their brain development. Children with obstetric birth complications show a higher risk for schizophrenia. Events that happen to the mother during pregnancy (Influenza, death of a relative) can also increase the child's risk.

Pregnancy and Schizophrenia: The Child

Longitudinal studies suggest that marijuana use is a significant risk factor in the development of schizophrenia. While individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to use marijuana, research indicates a potential causal relationship rather than just a correlation. The risk increases substantially with more frequent use. However, marijuana use is not considered an essential or sufficient cause, as not all individuals with schizophrenia have used it, and most users do not develop the disorder. The evidence suggests that marijuana use may play a role in triggering the illness, particularly in individuals who already have an underlying vulnerability.

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