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Neurophysiological aspects of distractability in schizophrenics: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Flekkosy K.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1980.tb00884.x
Subject(s) - neurophysiology , neuroscience , psychology , serotonergic , prefrontal cortex , dopaminergic , reticular formation , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , central nervous system , cognition , dopamine , biology , serotonin , psychiatry , receptor , biochemistry
The aim of the present study was to discuss distractability in schizophrenics in neurophysiological terms. A review of the literature strongly suggested that schizophrenics may be abnormally distractible; that is, show an increased tendency to react to irrelevant stimuli. The neuroanatomical structures most clearly implicated in signs of distractability by neurophysiological and behavioural evidence are the prefrontal (orbital) cortex, the nonspecific thalamocortical projection system, and inhibitory regions of the reticular formation. The disturbed functioning of these structures, it is suggested, could come about as a result of a lowered task‐related activation, primarily of the prefrontal cortices. Apparently, dopaminergic activity could influence the regions involved, suggesting adopaminergic component in distractability in schizophrenics. The regions in question may also be influenced by other biochemical systems, such as the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems.