Question 1

Regarding the schizophrenic brain, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

CT scans do not show tightly-packed narrow surface fissuring. This statement is false as it misrepresents the characteristics of a schizophrenic brain. While CT scans can detect structural abnormalities in the brain, such as enlarged ventricles, they do not show surface fissuring. MRI and PET scans are more accurate in detecting abnormalities in brain regions crucial for regulating motivation, emotion, perception, actions, and attention.

Question 2

The CT scans of the brains of individuals suffering from schizophrenia have

Accepted Answer

Individuals with schizophrenia often have wider surface fissures in their brains, which is indicative of brain tissue loss or reduced brain volume.

Question 3

In the stress-vulnerability model of psychosis, vulnerability is primarily attributed to

Accepted Answer

The stress-vulnerability model of psychosis suggests that individuals with a genetic predisposition (or vulnerable) to developing psychosis are more likely to do so when exposed to environmental stressors. Therefore, vulnerability is primarily attributed to heredity.

Question 4

In view of current research, choose the best summary statement concerning the cause(s) of schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Current research suggests that schizophrenia is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that lead to changes in brain chemistry. Inherited potential may make an individual more susceptible to the condition, but environmental stressors, such as trauma or drug use, also play a significant role. The other statements are not supported by current research.

Question 5

CT scans and MRI scans both suggest that the brains of schizophrenics have shrunk, which may be due to the schizophrenic brain

Accepted Answer

The answer of CT scans and MRI scans both suggest...

Question 6

Which model attributes psychosis to a combination of environmental stress and a genetic susceptibility to the condition?

Accepted Answer

The stress-vulnerability model attributes psychosis to a combination of environmental stress and a genetic susceptibility to the condition.

Question 7

Research using PET scans on the schizophrenic brain reveals that they have

Accepted Answer

Research using PET scans on the schizophrenic brain has shown less activity in the frontal lobes. This is believed to be associated with the cognitive and functional deficits associated with schizophrenia, such as trouble with reasoning, problem-solving, and attention. Option A is incorrect because larger ventricles have been associated with schizophrenia. Option B is incorrect because research typically shows smaller brain size in individuals with schizophrenia. Option D is incorrect because REM sleep is associated with increased activity in the brain, and schizophrenia is typically associated with decreased activity in the brain.

Question 8

Research has shown that the right combination of inherited potential and environment stress may produce mind-altering changes in the brain.These changes may cause psychotic behavior and various forms of psychopathology.This is called the _____ model.

Accepted Answer

The given statement suggests that both genetic vulnerability and environmental stress are required to produce mind-altering changes in the brain leading to psychopathology. This is the essence of stress-vulnerability model. Option A and B are incorrect as they do not mention stress as a key element. Option C is also not an accurate representation of the model as it refers to both nature and nurture, where stress-vulnerability model specifically highlights the effects of stress as a trigger for psychopathology.

Question 9

Stress alters _____ levels, which, in turn, alter dopamine systems; thus, providing another explanation for the development of schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Stress can alter glutamate levels, which can affect dopamine systems and contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

Question 10

People who take the hallucinogenic drug PCP, which affects _____, have symptoms that closely mimic schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

PCP affects glutamate, an important neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, and emotion regulation. When PCP blocks NMDA receptors, it can lead to symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Question 11

Major disturbances in emotion, such as depression or mania, are classified as _____ disorders.

Accepted Answer

Major disturbances in emotion, such as depression or mania, are classified as mood disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear and worry. Dissociative disorders involve disruptions or breakdowns in a person's memory, consciousness, or sense of identity. Schizophrenic disorders involve disruptions in thought processes and perceptions.

Question 12

The areas of the schizophrenic brain that show the greatest atrophy are the areas crucial for regulating

Accepted Answer

The areas of the schizophrenic brain that show the greatest atrophy are the areas crucial for regulating motivation, emotion, attention, perception, and actions.

Question 13

In any given year, _____ percent of the U.S.population suffers from a mood disorder.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in any given year, approximately 9.5% of the U.S. population suffers from a mood disorder such as major depression or bipolar disorder.

Question 14

The neurotransmitter _____ has been shown to be related to schizophrenia with this neurotransmitter also being affected by PCP use.

Accepted Answer

Glutamate has been implicated in the development of schizophrenia and is also known to interact with phencyclidine (PCP), a drug that can cause psychotic symptoms similar to schizophrenia.

Question 15

A(n) _____ involves the injection of a radioactive sugar solution and a measurement of how much sugar is used in each brain area.Because of the clear difference in schizophrenic brain activity, this technique may be the tool of choice to accurately diagnose schizophrenia in the future.

Accepted Answer

PET scan involves the injection of a radioactive solution that shows how much sugar is used in each brain area. This technique can help in accurately diagnosing schizophrenia due to the clear difference in brain activity between schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic individuals. CT-scan, EEG, and MRI are not effective in measuring brain activity related to mental disorders like schizophrenia.

Question 16

Regarding the stress-vulnerability model, which of the following statements is/are TRUE?

Accepted Answer

All three statements are true. The stress-vulnerability model proposes that some individuals may inherit a difference in brain chemistry or structure that makes them more vulnerable to stress, which may in turn increase their risk for developing mental health disorders such as psychosis or depression. Therefore, option A, B, and C are all correct.

Question 17

The _____ is a computer-enhanced, three-dimensional representation of the brain that responds to the body's magnetic field.It has allowed researchers to find that the brains of schizophrenics have enlarged ventricles.

Accepted Answer

An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. In the case of the brain, an MRI can create a three-dimensional representation of the brain that responds to the body's magnetic field. This allows researchers to study the structure and function of the brain in detail. In the case mentioned, an MRI was used to discover that the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia are enlarged.

Question 18

_____ tends to influence brain activity in areas that control emotions and sensory information and may explain some of the symptoms seen in schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Glutamate is a central neurotransmitter that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In particular, excessive glutamate activity in certain brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, has been linked to hallucinations and cognitive impairments seen in schizophrenia.

Question 19

MRI scans of the schizophrenic brain have shown

Accepted Answer

MRI scans of the schizophrenic brain have consistently shown enlarged ventricles, indicating a loss of brain tissue. This is a common finding in individuals with schizophrenia. The other options are not supported by research.

Question 20

The CT scans and MRI scans both suggest that the brains of persons suffering from schizophrenia have

Accepted Answer

Both CT scans and MRI scans show that the brains of persons suffering from schizophrenia have shrunk (atrophied). This is particularly evident in the frontal lobes and the hippocampus.

Quiz 14: Extension B: Psychological Disorders