Which condition is characterized by dopamine abnormalities and is often associated with enlarged ventricles in the brain?

Schizophrenia is the condition characterized by dopamine abnormalities and is often associated with enlarged ventricles in the brain. Research indicates that individuals with schizophrenia frequently show dysregulation in dopamine pathways, particularly in the mesolimbic and mesocortical systems. This neurochemical imbalance is believed to contribute to the positive symptoms of the disorder, such as hallucinations and delusions, as well as negative symptoms, like emotional flatness.

Additionally, neuroimaging studies have consistently revealed that people diagnosed with schizophrenia often exhibit enlarged lateral and third ventricles when compared to healthy individuals. This enlargement is thought to reflect a loss of surrounding brain tissue, possibly linked to the neurodevelopmental aspects of the disorder.

In contrast, conditions such as autism, stroke, and multiple sclerosis do not typically present with the same dopamine-related issues or ventricular enlargement as primary characteristic features. Autism is more associated with differences in brain connectivity and structure rather than specific neurotransmitter abnormalities. Stroke involves damage to brain tissue due to interrupted blood supply, while multiple sclerosis is characterized by the degeneration of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, none of which primarily involve the dopamine abnormalities or ventricular changes seen in schizophrenia.