With a career in the Psychiatric field that has spanned more than three decades, Wayne Macfadden MD, serves as the owner of International Psychiatric Services, which he and his wife founded. Wayne Macfadden MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, including substance use problems and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the way people think, feel, and interact with others. It's possible that changes in the biochemistry of the brain, particularly with respect to chemicals like dopamine, contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. Dopamine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain. At some point, after the neurotransmitter has reached its intended recipient cell, it connects to certain receptors and sets in motion a series of events within the brain cells. Dopamine is released by the brain when a person receives a reward or participates in a pleasurable activity. It can influence motivation, appetites, and wants. Likewise, the anticipation of receiving rewards or participating in pleasurable activities can raise dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, may play a key role in schizophrenia. In the mid 20th century, when a medicine called phenothiazine, which was known to inhibit dopamine receptors, led to a decrease in psychotic symptoms, the concept that dopamine was implicated in schizophrenia emerged. Schizophrenia symptoms might arise when the brain's dopamine regulation system is malfunctioning, according to recent research. However, further studies may shed more light on this relationship. According to a study by Toda and Abi-Dargham in 2007, the transmission of dopamine at an abnormally high rate in some brain regions (subcortical and limbic region) play an important role in the presentation of positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions, hallucinations, movement disorders, and confused thoughts. Low dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex (front portion of the brain) contributes to negative symptoms like trouble with speech, lack of pleasure, withdrawal, and difficulty maintaining a schedule. Nonetheless, Dr. Wayne Macfadden notes that schizophrenia remains a significant mystery in many respects. The variety of clinical presentations may imply that there are a 'group' of schizophrenias, that have as yet been clearly identified.

1. Dopamine May Play a Key Role in the Development of
Schizophrenia
Wayne Macfadden

2. Introduction
With a career in the Psychiatric field that has spanned more than three decades, Wayne
Macfadden MD, serves as the owner of International Psychiatric Services, which he and
his wife founded. Wayne Macfadden MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of
mental illnesses, including substance use problems and schizophrenia.

3. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the way people think, feel, and interact
with others. It's possible that changes in the biochemistry of the brain, particularly with
respect to chemicals like dopamine, contribute to the onset of schizophrenia.

4. Dopamine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain. At some point, after
the neurotransmitter has reached its intended recipient cell, it connects to certain
receptors and sets in motion a series of events within the brain cells. Dopamine is
released by the brain when a person receives a reward or participates in a pleasurable
activity. It can influence motivation, appetites, and wants. Likewise, the anticipation of
receiving rewards or participating in pleasurable activities can raise dopamine levels in
the brain.

5. Dopamine, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, may play a key role in
schizophrenia. In the mid 20th century, when a medicine called phenothiazine, which
was known to inhibit dopamine receptors, led to a decrease in psychotic symptoms, the
concept that dopamine was implicated in schizophrenia emerged. Schizophrenia
symptoms might arise when the brain's dopamine regulation system is malfunctioning,
according to recent research. However, further studies may shed more light on this
relationship.

6. According to a study by Toda and Abi-Dargham in 2007, the transmission of dopamine
at an abnormally high rate in some brain regions (subcortical and limbic region) play an
important role in the presentation of positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as
delusions, hallucinations, movement disorders, and confused thoughts. Low dopamine
activity in the prefrontal cortex (front portion of the brain) contributes to negative
symptoms like trouble with speech, lack of pleasure, withdrawal, and difficulty
maintaining a schedule.

7. Nonetheless, Dr. Wayne Macfadden notes that schizophrenia remains a significant
mystery in many respects. The variety of clinical presentations may imply that there are
a 'group' of schizophrenias, that have as yet been clearly identified.