The Development of Neuropsychology for Studying Schizophrenia & Clinical Depression (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

Neuropsychological tests help psychologists and doctors assess how well the brain is functioning

• They explore how changes in brain structure, chemistry, or activity relate to mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and depression

These tests have advanced understanding of the biological basis of these disorders and supported the development of more effective treatments

They are used with people who have depression, schizophrenia, or brain injuries

Neuropsychological tests are standardised to compare individual performance with typical results to identify specific difficulties

Commonly used with people who have schizophrenia

• It tests the functioning of the frontal lobe, which is linked to planning, problem-solving, and decision-making

• Participants must match cards without being told the sorting rule (e.g. colour, shape, or number)

• This assesses the ability to adapt thinking and switch strategies, which is often impaired in schizophrenia

Commonly used to measure the severity of depression

• It is a multiple-choice, self-report test assessing symptoms such as mood, irritability, hopelessness, tiredness, and weight loss

• It provides a score indicating mild, moderate, or severe depression

These tests help psychologists identify which brain areas are affected and how cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and reasoning are impaired

They also allow researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments (e.g. medication or therapy) by measuring changes in performance over time

Brain imaging allows neuropsychologists to see how the brain is structured and functions in real time

These techniques show differences in brain activity and structure between people with and without mental health conditions

PET scans allow neuropsychologists to see brain activity as a radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream and travels to the brain

• The scanner detects areas of high or low activity, showing how different parts of the brain use energy

PET scans can demonstrate how medication affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin

• This helps researchers understand why certain drugs work for some people and not for others

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) shows brain structure in detail

fMRI (Functional MRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow

These techniques identify structural or functional abnormalities linked to:

• schizophrenia (e.g. enlarged ventricles, reduced prefrontal activity)

• depression (e.g. underactive frontal lobes, disrupted serotonin pathways)

By identifying biological causes of schizophrenia and depression, neuropsychology contributes to:

• the development of more effective medications, such as those targeting dopamine or serotonin systems

• improved diagnosis and early detection through brain scans and testing

• a clearer understanding of why treatments work differently between individuals

• the creation of personalised treatment plans and therapies tailored to each person's needs