Schizophrenia: Effects on the Brain :: Biology Essays Research Papers

dementia praecox Effects on the Brain dementia praecox is a sickness that affects the spirit. It alters brain chemistry and brain form to arrest the different behavior in those afflicted with the problem. It appears that these alterations change the inherent I-function in each individual. Loss of important functions associated with this piece of the greater nervous transcription box is found in these people. To understand why this occurs, it is necessary to w be some background knowledge of what schizophrenia does to a persons brain. The conclusion of neutered I-function can be drawn as this info is presented. The symptoms of the disease excessively aid in the explanation. Schizophrenia results in varied and abnormal responses comp atomic number 18d to those of normal, levelheaded individuals. The brain of individuals with the disease endures such changes that their rudimentary functions and operations are altered.Schizophrenia is an internal disease caused by fundamental organizational differences in the brain. It begins to be noticed in a persons late teens through twenties. Signs of it can be seen from early childhood and it is now being hypothesized that it is actually present during adolescence (1). Since this hypothesis extends to fetal development, brain formation in the earliest stages is effected. The alteration of pathways and excursion of neurotransmitters from normal arrangement is believed to be a factor behind the affliction. The brain of these individuals forms differently. Neurotransmitters are believed to misfire altering the chemical balance of the brain cause behavioral problems. There are deficits in cortical and subcortical cognitive processes (5). There are also enlarged ventricles in the brain cause further impairment of ability (3). When the disease is present there are certain symptoms that are easily recognizable. They fall into three categories overt, negative, and positive. The overt symptoms are delusions, hallucinat ions, alteration of the senses, inability to sort and then respond appropriately to entry sensations, an altered sense of self, and changes in behavior (2). The negative symptoms are frantic flatness, inability to start or follow through on activities, apprize speech pretermiting content, and lack of pleasure or interest in life (2). All of these include an inhibition on processing information and further imply a differentiation in the normal self. The basic information above provides a solid background to understanding the disease and already possible problems to a persons I-function can be seen.The afflicted persons lack of knowledge concerning the disease suggests a hindrance to the I-function.