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One of the open questions in the study of schizophrenia remains the decision-making process and how it changes in a mentally ill person. In recent years, scientists have been actively studying this problem. They were able to build a computer model with which they were able to understand how people make decisions and why these processes change with the development of mental disorders.
The essence and main features of the experiment?
To answer this question, scientists conducted experiments with monkeys. The latter had to solve certain problems, and scientists recorded the models of their behavior. Two rows of sticks were displayed on the monitor of the computer equipment. In each of them there were 8 pieces. The task of the monkeys was to pick up the row in which the sticks were on average longer. When the subjects were doing the job, the scientists watched how they choose the sticks scattered in a chaotic manner along the length and how long they take to give the final answer.
30 thousand experiments were carried out. As a result, it was found that monkeys, as well as humans, choose those rows that offer more options for collecting data. These studies and their results were recorded in one of the editions of «eLife Reports».
Other studies
Scientists from England and America wondered how the brain collects, fixes, selects information, and then makes decisions based on the collected data. These are complex processes. To take an example from life, when such a selection occurs, let it be a person’s choice of a place to travel. For example, he looks through a lot of sites of different travel agencies, analyzes the cost of a flight, climate, country culture and many other factors. Based on the received material, he selects the most profitable and interesting option. What scientists have done:
- They «built» a computer model to understand how the brain works.
- Its essence was to imitate different groups of neurons that are activated as soon as the macaques choose the left and right row of objects.
- These figures were responsible for inhibitory neurons.
- The computer model was tested on the same test.
The results of the experiment confirmed that the computer can make decisions.
Studying the same processes in the brain of a schizophrenic
The data obtained allowed experts to investigate process changes in a mental disorder such as schizophrenia. For this, the activity of NMDA receptors responsible for the connection of neurons in the inhibitory and excitatory groups was reduced. It became clear that the choice of the schizophrenic depends on the balance between these two states: excitation and inhibition.
The essence of the experiment was to find out the reason for the change in decision-making in case of illness. Practitioners have established it: reduced activity of NMDA receptors, which are located on the excitatory part of neurons.
This data will help find new treatments for psychological illness and help many patients achieve very long remissions.
At the same time, when it comes to choosing methods of therapy, experienced practicing psychiatrists suggest using hypnosis as one of such methods that will accurately reveal what is happening in the brain of a schizophrenic, what exactly he thinks, what thoughts he has in his head. In principle, hypnosis, if carried out by specialists, is simply capable, like a computer, of diagnosing at the subconscious level. But, again, it is very important to approach this process taking into account all the risks and moments in order not to harm the patient even more, etc.