AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decreased prefrontal gray matter volume leads to impairment of executive functioning in many schizophrenic patients. Altered prefrontal area is associated with duration of illness. The longer the duration of illness, the greater the reduction of gray matter volume in the left medial frontal gyrus.

Detailed explanation-2: -Previous research has associated schizophrenia with dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which works as a kind of “boss” over brain activity by overseeing much of our cognition and behavior.

Detailed explanation-3: -No significant differences were found between schizophrenic and control subjects in mean values for prefrontal gray matter volume in either hemisphere. However, right prefrontal white matter was significantly reduced in the schizophrenic group.

Detailed explanation-4: -Brain imaging shows that people with schizophrenia have less gray matter volume, especially in the temporal and frontal lobes. These areas of the brain are important for thinking and judgment.

Detailed explanation-5: -Impaired PFC function can be caused by either a physiological or psychological stress and can occur with even mild, acute psychological stress if the subject feels threatened or out of control.