The Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia
The purpose of this
website is to provide information about the dopamine-hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Although there is no one cause for
schizophrenia, this hypothesis appears to have validity as a possible
cause. We will walk you through the basic brain systems and
chemicals that are affected by schizophrenia, some historical
information, treatments of the disease, and relavent scientific
research providing support for this theory. The research is based
on amphetamine models of psychosis as they relate to schizophrenia and
its symptoms.
The dopamine
hypothesis is drawn from the idea of possible overactivity
of the neurotransmitter,
dopamine, and the systems it is involved
in. It is believed that the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia arise from this overactivity. Amphetamine use
induces dopamine overactivity, which can result in similar psychotic
symptoms. We hope that after perusing through our site, you will
have a better understanding of schizophrenia, but more importantly how
amphetamine abuse provides evidence for the dopamine hypothesis of
schizophrenia.
