A NEURAL-NETWORK MODEL OF CORTICAL INFORMATION-PROCESSING IN SCHIZOPHRENIA .1. INTERACTION BETWEEN BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL-FACTORS IN SYMPTOMFORMATION

Exploiting the biological and psychological plausibility of parallel d istributed processing, a neural network model of cortical processing i s proposed in order to provide a framework for understanding pathologi cal processes in schizophrenia. Major psychosocial and neurobiological factors are assigned to appropriate parameters in the model. Behaviou r of the network is explored through simulation, in particular interac tion between the temperature and memory loading parameters is studied. The emergent network behaviour provides a model for complex interacti on between dopaminergic activity, cortical and hippocampal pathology, and psychosocial factors in the production of psychotic symptoms. This integrative model provides an account of a wide range of observations in schizophrenia. It also produces testable predictions concerning co gnitive performance and the course of schizophrenia.