Imagine that you are working as a neuropsychologist at a clinic. You are involved in the diagnosis of the cases described below. You are asked to identify the probable cause(s) of the disorders in terms of nervous system malfunctions. Based on the information in this chapter, indicate the probable location of any brain damage or the probable disturbance of neurotransmitter activity. The answers can be found in the back of the book in Appendix A. Wendy is highly irrational, has poor contact with reality, and reports hallucinations. She is given a diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder.

To begin, it is important to comprehend the presenting symptoms of Wendy's condition. She is noted to be highly irrational, has poor contact with reality, and experiences hallucinations. These symptoms are indicative of a schizophrenic disorder.

The next step is to understand which brain regions and neurotransmitter systems are typically associated with schizophrenia. Some of the relevant areas include the prefrontal cortex, the limbic system (including the hippocampus and the amygdala), and potentially the thalamus. Dysfunctions in dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitters have also been implicated in schizophrenia.

Based on the symptoms presented and the knowledge of brain regions associated with schizophrenia, a probable location for brain damage in Wendy's case could be the prefrontal cortex. This region is responsible for higher-order cognitive functions and is implicated in the irrational thoughts and poor contact with reality observed in schizophrenia. Another potential location is the limbic system, which encompasses the hippocampus and amygdala. The limbic system is involved in emotional regulation and memory processes, which are often impaired in schizophrenia. Damage to the hippocampus and amygdala could contribute to the disorganization and emotional disturbances seen in this disorder. Lastly, the thalamus also plays a role in relaying sensory information and could be involved in the generation of hallucinations. Damage or dysfunction in the thalamus might be relevant to Wendy's condition.

Dysfunctions in dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitter systems have been associated with schizophrenia. In Wendy's case, it is possible that an imbalance in dopamine activity, particularly in the mesolimbic and prefrontal areas, contributes to her irrational behavior and hallucinations. Glutamate imbalance, especially in the prefrontal cortex, could also be a contributing factor to the cognitive and emotional dysfunctions observed. In summary, Wendy's schizophrenic disorder may be related to damage or malfunctions in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and possibly the thalamus, as well as disturbances in dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitter systems.