====== Hypofrontality ======

//Hypofrontality// refers to a decreased blood flow in the frontal cortex of the human brain. Some studies suggest the decease can be as much as 5%. (example [[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/hypofrontality-in-men-with-firstepisode-psychosis/71EFE0184CEBE905B841291EF1FD6BBA|ref.]])

It was first discovered in 1974, and was initially assumed to be due to anti-psychotic drugs which patients were taking. But subsequent studies confirmed the findings in patients who were //not //undergoing treatment.

It's now known to be associated with [[content:psychology:disorders:adhd]], [[content:psychology:disorders:schizophrenia]] and [[content:psychology:disorders:depression]]

It's not known, however, if the decreased blood flow is as a// result// of the underlying psychological disorder, or whether it's contributing to //cause// the disorder. Or whether they simply occur alongside each other.

>__Currently, the exact neurophysiological mechanisms that cause hypofrontality are unknown.__ However, there are some possible mechanisms that are plausible and would account for many of the effects of hypofrontality\\ \\ Source : [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypofrontality#Mechanism|Wikipedia]]

The dominant current theory is that there is some kind of neuronal damage which leads to poor neuro-transmission, and which then causes both the psychological problems and the hypofrontality.

Because of the possibility that hypofrontality may be// causing// the psychological problems, it's currently the subject of intense research - as it may be feasible to increase the bloodflow with medication(s) and so relieve the symptoms.

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