Question

Low levels of which neurotransmitter might explain why people with schizophrenia have trouble with selective attention, cognitive control, and working memory? a. acetylcholine b. glutamate c. norepinephrine d. GABA

Short answer

b. glutamate

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Task

The exercise asks us to determine which neurotransmitter, when at low levels, might cause issues with selective attention, cognitive control, and working memory, often observed in schizophrenia.

Understanding Key Concepts

Schizophrenia symptoms associated with attention, control, and memory often involve neurotransmission problems. We need to match these deficits to a neurotransmitter known for those functions.

Reviewing Neurotransmitter Functions

- Acetylcholine is involved in muscle action, memory, and learning. - Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for cognitive processes. - Norepinephrine is involved in alertness and arousal. - GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for reducing neuronal excitability.

Evaluating Options Against Symptoms

Glutamate's role as a critical excitatory neurotransmitter links it with cognitive processes such as attention and memory. Its dysfunction is strongly associated with symptoms seen in schizophrenia.

Choosing the Correct Answer

Considering the role of glutamate in cognitive processes, low levels of glutamate are likely linked to the mentioned symptoms in schizophrenia.

Key concepts

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essential chemicals in the brain that transmit signals across synapses. They play a vital role in brain function and behavior. Each neurotransmitter is responsible for different aspects of neural communication. For example, dopamine is associated with reward and pleasure, while serotonin affects mood and sleep. Understanding neurotransmitters helps us comprehend how brain disorders like schizophrenia can manifest. In the context of schizophrenia, glutamate is a key neurotransmitter to consider. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for transmitting signals between neurons. It's deeply involved in cognitive processes like learning and memory. A deficit in glutamate might lead to the impairments seen in schizophrenia, such as challenges with memory, cognition, and attention.

Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes are higher-level brain functions essential for thinking and understanding. They include a variety of operations like attention, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. When these functions are impaired, individuals can face challenges in processing information, which is often seen in conditions like schizophrenia. One key cognitive process affected in schizophrenia is the ability to integrate information from different senses and sources. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining a consistent sense of reality. Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are closely linked with the dysregulation of neurotransmitters like glutamate. By identifying which cognitive processes are impacted, researchers and clinicians can better target treatments to improve cognitive functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.

Selective Attention

Selective attention is the ability to focus on specific information while ignoring distractions. It enables us to concentrate on tasks without being overwhelmed by irrelevant stimuli. Imagine trying to read a book in a noisy room; selective attention allows you to focus on the text despite the background noise. In schizophrenia, selective attention is often compromised. This means individuals struggle to filter out extraneous information, leading to difficulties in concentrating or staying focused on a task. The neurotransmitter glutamate plays a crucial role in this process. Low levels of glutamate can disrupt the brain's ability to prioritize stimuli, reinforcing the attentional control complications seen in schizophrenia.

Working Memory

Working memory is a cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and processing information. It's like your brain's notepad, allowing you to work with information for short periods. This is crucial for tasks such as following conversations, solving problems, or making plans. Working memory is particularly vulnerable in individuals with schizophrenia. The impairments in working memory can be linked to neurotransmitter imbalances, especially involving glutamate. When glutamate levels are not optimal, it affects the brain's capacity to maintain and manipulate information, explaining the working memory deficits observed in people with schizophrenia.

Cognitive Control

Cognitive control refers to the ability to regulate thoughts and actions in alignment with goals. It's akin to the brain's command center, directing behavior based on intentions and objectives. This includes the ability to switch tasks, delay gratification, and inhibit inappropriate responses. In schizophrenia, cognitive control is often deficient, leading to impulsivity and difficulties in goal-directed behavior. Glutamate is integral to these executive functions. It helps in the coordination and regulation of neural circuits necessary for cognitive control. When glutamate signalling is impaired, as often seen in schizophrenia, it can lead to substantial challenges in managing thoughts and actions effectively.