Salience is the significance assigned to an event or stimulus. It helps people decide what deserves attention and action. Dopamine contributes to this process, particularly in learning and responding to potentially important information. The aberrant-salience…Continue Reading
Synaptic pruning is the selective reduction and reorganisation of connections between nerve cells. It is part of normal development and helps refine neural networks. One schizophrenia hypothesis proposes that altered pruning, possibly involving immune-related mechanisms…Continue Reading
Imaging research supports increased dopamine synthesis and release capacity in parts of the striatum in many people with schizophrenia-related psychosis. This is one of the stronger biological findings in the field. It is more specific…Continue Reading
Neurodevelopmental hypotheses propose that schizophrenia-related vulnerability can arise through differences in brain development long before clear psychotic symptoms appear. These differences may interact with later maturation, stress and other exposures. The model helps explain why…Continue Reading
D1 and D5 belong to the D1-like receptor family. Their signalling generally increases cyclic AMP through Gs or Golf proteins. D1 receptors are important in prefrontal networks supporting working memory and other cognitive functions. Experimental…Continue Reading
Acute stress is a response to an immediate challenge, such as conflict, illness, an unfamiliar setting or a sudden loss. Attention narrows, bodily arousal increases and the person prepares to respond. These reactions can be…Continue Reading
D2 receptors are central targets of most established antipsychotics. They usually signal through Gi/o proteins and influence cyclic AMP, ion channels and other cellular processes. They occur on receiving neurons and as autoreceptors involved in…Continue Reading
Chronic stress results from demands that persist, such as financial insecurity, unsafe housing, discrimination or ongoing conflict. Repeated strain can affect sleep, physical health and the capacity to manage everyday tasks. In schizophrenia, these pressures…Continue Reading
D3 and D4 are members of the D2-like receptor family. They have different distributions and pharmacological properties from D2. D3 is studied in relation to motivation and reward, while D4 has attracted interest partly because…Continue Reading
The stress response involves coordinated activity across the brain, autonomic nervous system and hormonal systems. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis helps regulate cortisol, while sympathetic activation contributes to changes in heart rate and alertness. These systems adapt…Continue Reading