Research Paper on "Biopsychosocial Model"

Research Paper 4 pages (1372 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Biopsychosocial Model Analysis of Schizophrenia

The biopsychosocial model which is commonly abbreviated as BPS is a general model which states that psychological, biological and social factors all have a vital role which they play in the functioning of human beings especially in the context of illness or disease. Health can best described and understood when we look at it in the three angles of psychological, biological and social factors rather than just in either one of the angles. This paper will thus examine schizophrenia using the biopsychosocial model.

Brain localization of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disease. Many studies have been conducted regarding the brain localization of schizophrenia. One study established that schizophrenia is characterized by significant loss in the grey matter of the brain. The loss was detected to be up to 25% in some areas and the damage was seen to begin at the parietal (outer) regions of the brain then spreading to the rest of the regions of the brain over a period of about five years. Another study showed that patients who had the worst loss of brain tissue also exhibited the worst symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, psychotic and bizarre thoughts, hearing voices, depression and delusion.

Another study has shown that individuals suffering from Schizophrenia also have enlarged ventricles in the brain. The results of this study show that there is a negative correlation between the ratio of the ventricle to the brain especially for voxels in the right and left thalamus and the posterior putamen. This was the case also for the left superior gyrus and the insula. The study
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concluded that shrinking of the thalamus especially the medial nuclei and the adjacent striatum and the insular cortex are important factors which contribute to the ventricular enlargement seen in schizophrenic patients Gaser, Nenadic, Buchsbaum, Hazlett, & Buchsbaum, 2004()

Results from over 25 studies have indicated that patients suffering from Schizophrenia, including but not exclusive to those who have been receiving treatment have been found to suffer from neurological disorders Rajarethinam, Prasad, & Keshavan, 2005.

Despite many researchers that have been conducted, the etiopathology of the disease is unknown but research indicates that the disease is involved in damage to the frontal cortex, temporal lobe cortex and other structures found in the subcortical region. Schizophrenics have been found to have reduced volumes of the frontal cortex, temporal lobe cortex and other structures in the subcortical region such as the amygdala and hippocampus. Understanding these abnormalities of the brain that result from schizophrenia has been a great challenge to modern medicine.

Tomographic scans on schizophrenic patients had their cerebrospinal fluid spaces scored blindly in group of 9 schizophrenics who were medicated and 9 non-schizophrenic volunteers whose age matched that of the 9 schizophrenics. Overall from the study, it was found out that 10 of the 18 features which were computed from the tomographic scans in the schizophrenics was largely enlarged in size McCarley et al., 1989 .

In another different study, it was found that there were increases in the lateral ventricles, hippocampus and temporal lobes (both left and right) of schizophrenics and there were overall reductions in the size of the whole brain of schizophrenics.

Genetic factors or family traits in the onset of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is generally cited as a trait in which the genes of the patients are in most cases missing. Several studies have been conducted to find out which genes are specifically at risk in schizophrenics. A study conducted in 2003 listed 7 genes as those with the greatest potential to increase the risk of schizophrenia Harrison & Owen, 2003.

Two recent studies that were conducted stated that there was evidence that the two strongest genes were neuregulin (NRG1) and dysbindin (DTNBP1). There have also been other genes that have shown results that were promising. These genes include COMT, PPP3CC, DISC1, ZDHHC8 and AKT1 Owen, Craddock, & O'Donovan, 2005.

Variations that were close to the gene FXYD6 have shown close associations among schizophrenics in the UK but the results in Japan were quite different Riley & Kendler, 2005()

The largest and most in depth study that… READ MORE

Quoted Instructions for "Biopsychosocial Model" Assignment:

The brain injury of Phineas Gage in 1848 prompted renewed interest in localizing mental functions and dysfunctions in the brain. Galton*****'s insight into hereditary traits reintroduced the nature/nurture debate in psychology. This research paper paper should focus on examining those two historical threads in relation to the current biopsychosocial view of mental disorders.

Three scholarly references (dated 2000 or later) should be included.

In a paper, discuss schizophrenia using a biopsychosocial model. Include the following:

a) The evidence supporting brain localization for schizophrenia.

b) The genetic factors in the onset of this disorder.

c) The environmental factors in the onset of this disorder.

How to Reference "Biopsychosocial Model" Research Paper in a Bibliography

Biopsychosocial Model.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2012, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.

Biopsychosocial Model (2012). Retrieved from https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091
A1-TermPaper.com. (2012). Biopsychosocial Model. [online] Available at: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091 [Accessed 5 Oct, 2024].
”Biopsychosocial Model” 2012. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091.
”Biopsychosocial Model” A1-TermPaper.com, Last modified 2024. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091.
[1] ”Biopsychosocial Model”, A1-TermPaper.com, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091. [Accessed: 5-Oct-2024].
1. Biopsychosocial Model [Internet]. A1-TermPaper.com. 2012 [cited 5 October 2024]. Available from: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091
1. Biopsychosocial Model. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/biopsychosocial-model-analysis-schizophrenia/79091. Published 2012. Accessed October 5, 2024.

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