Music, dopamine release and increased positive symptoms

asdasdasdasd · November 28, 2016, 11:21pm

Very basically, the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia says high level of dopamine in a part of schizophrenic’s brain (nucleus accumbens) causes the positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions…).

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increased volume of the nucleus accumbens in schizophrenia.

M Lauer, D Senitz and H Beckmann, Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996), 2001

The nucleus accumbens, an integral and important part of limbic and prefrontal cortico-striato-pallidal-thalamic circuits, is involved in several cognitive, emotional and psychomotor functions altered in schizophrenia. In animal models, developmental disturbances within the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus induce a dysregulation of inputs to the nucleus accumbens resulting in behavioral abnormalities which point to psychotic psychopathology. Nonetheless, due to the complex neuroanatomy of the human ventral striatum hardly any morphometric data on the nucleus accumbens are available. A postmortem stereological investigation of the nucleus accumbens was performed in complete brains of 9 male schizophrenics and 9 male controls between the ages of 46 and 64. Complete serial coronal slices of both hemispheres were stained with a modified Nissl-technique. Tissue shrinkage after staining and embedding was corrected for both individual and regional shrinkage. Based on recent precise delimitations of the human ventral striatum, in vivo hemisphere-adjusted volumes of the nucleus accumbens (volume densities) and absolute accumbal volumes were calculated applying the Cavalieri-estimator. In schizophrenics, mean hemisphere-adjusted volumes of the nucleus accumbens were significantly increased on both sides (right accumbens: p = 0,005**; left accumbens: p = 0,016*). Hemispherical volumes and volumes of the nucleus accumbens were significantly correlated in both groups (p = 0,02*). Most likely, this increase in volume of the ventral striatum reflects a decrease in naturally occuring cell death following prenatal cortical neurodevelopmental disturbances.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elevated Excitatory Input to the Nucleus Accumbens in Schizophrenia: A Postmortem Ultrastructural Study.

LA McCollum, CK Walker, JK Roche and RC Roberts, Schizophrenia bulletin, Sep 2015

The cause of schizophrenia (SZ) is unknown and no single region of the brain can be pinpointed as an area of primary pathology. Rather, SZ results from dysfunction of multiple neurotransmitter systems and miswiring between brain regions. It is necessary to elucidate how communication between regions is disrupted to advance our understanding of SZ pathology. The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is a prime region of interest, where inputs from numerous brain areas altered in SZ are integrated. Aberrant signaling in the NAcc is hypothesized to cause symptoms of SZ, but it is unknown if these abnormalities are actually present. Electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of synaptic connections in SZ. The NAcc core and shell of 6 SZ subjects and 8 matched controls were compared in this pilot study. SZ subjects had a 19% increase in the density of asymmetric axospinous synapses (characteristic of excitatory inputs) in the core, but not the shell. Both groups had similar densities of symmetric synapses (characteristic of inhibitory inputs). The postsynaptic densities of asymmetric synapses had 22% smaller areas in the core, but not the shell. These results indicate that the core receives increased excitatory input in SZ, potentially leading to dysfunctional dopamine neurotransmission and cortico-striatal-thalamic stimulus processing. The reduced postsynaptic density size of asymmetric synapses suggests impaired signaling at these synapses. These findings enhance our understanding of the role the NAcc might play in SZ and the interaction of glutamatergic and dopaminergic abnormalities in SZ.

this study (Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music) says:
“Using the neurochemical specificity of [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography scanning, combined with psychophysiological measures of autonomic nervous system activity, we found endogenous dopamine release in the striatum at peak emotional arousal during music listening.”
“These results indicate that intense pleasure in response to music can lead to dopamine release in the striatal system.”

In the BBC news: Music ‘releases mood-enhancing chemical in the brain’
“In this study, levels of dopamine were found to be up to 9% higher when volunteers were listening to music they enjoyed.”

Logically, we can infer that music has the ability to increase psychosis in schizophrenics.

Based on my personal experience, I fully agree with this. If I listen to music for some time, I can see that it increases my hallucinations. I get caught up in them much more easily. Effects of music are similar to cannabis high for me. It definitely deepens psychosis for me, makes symptoms harder to control…

Also, I find that music is addictive for me. Considering its effects on brain, it’s understandable that it can be addictive for human beings.

Regards.

anon53851308 · November 28, 2016, 11:23pm

I agree with this. When I’m in psychosis, I walk around for days with my headphones on.

Then the voices never shut up and I can’t sleep.

anon61768033 · November 28, 2016, 11:37pm

This is stupid,in case that music contributes psychosis.When I’m down,it’s the only thing that helps me through crises.If I understood,it in increases dopamine in some level.Whats wrong with that?

anon53851308 · November 28, 2016, 11:58pm

Everyones different. Your dopamine is probably already blocked from Antipsychotics, so the music increases it and lifts your mood.

I’m on barely any AP so I’m easily stimulated.

anon61768033 · November 29, 2016, 12:00am

I take Clozapine which has no affinity for dopamine receptors.

LucyK · November 29, 2016, 12:01am

I walked around with headphones on too, music played a big part in my psychosis. I couldn’t stop listening.

Orion11 · November 29, 2016, 12:39am

I get a strange sensation many times when I’m listening to music or seeing any type of entertainment. I’ll be enjoying it up until the high point and then I just feel this nasty crash of emotion that just hurts. And makes my body jerk. I’m not sure what it is. It’s like a complete malfunction in the processing of excitement.

I sometimes get so tense my knees will hurt for the rest of the day. The emotion bunches up in my knees.

Naek · November 29, 2016, 1:14am

i think designating moments of silence is a good thing or turn volume down sometimes