Which of these brain abnormalities is associated with Schizophrenia?



Enlarged, fluid filled areas of the brain correlated with shrunken cerebral tissue

Damage to the medulla

Abnormally high activity in the frontal lobe

Increase in brain waves that reflect synchronized neural firing

reduced numbers of receptors for dopamine

I'm thinking A, but I want to make sure

To determine which brain abnormalities are associated with schizophrenia, we can go through each option and evaluate its relationship with the disorder:

A) Enlarged, fluid-filled areas of the brain correlated with shrunken cerebral tissue: This condition is known as ventricular enlargement, and it is indeed associated with schizophrenia. As the brain tissue shrinks, the fluid-filled ventricles expand. This abnormality is commonly observed in schizophrenia patients.

B) Damage to the medulla: The medulla is primarily responsible for regulating basic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. However, damage to the medulla is not specifically associated with schizophrenia. Therefore, this option is not correct in relation to schizophrenia.

C) Abnormally high activity in the frontal lobe: The frontal lobe is involved in various cognitive functions and social behavior. While there may be altered brain activity in the frontal lobe in individuals with schizophrenia, it is not necessarily characterized by abnormally high activity. Thus, this option is not entirely accurate.

D) Increase in brainwaves that reflect synchronized neural firing: Synchronized neural firing refers to the coordinated activity among neurons. While brainwave abnormalities have been observed in schizophrenia, they primarily involve dysfunctional synchronization and irregularities in specific brainwave patterns, not necessarily an increase in synchronized neural firing. Therefore, this option is not entirely correct.

E) Reduced numbers of receptors for dopamine: This abnormality is indeed associated with schizophrenia. Dopamine dysregulation is a key feature of the disorder, and reduced dopamine receptors are often observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

Based on this evaluation, options A and E are both associated with schizophrenia. Therefore, your initial inclination that option A might be correct is accurate.