Positive symptoms in schizophrenia are primarily attributed to which level of dopamine?

Positive symptoms in schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, are primarily attributed to increased levels of dopamine, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway. The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that hyperactivity of dopamine transmission in this area of the brain contributes significantly to the manifestation of these symptoms.

Research indicates that certain medications used in the treatment of schizophrenia, particularly antipsychotics, work by blocking dopamine receptors, which helps alleviate positive symptoms. The understanding of schizophrenia as a disorder characterized by an imbalance in dopamine levels helps to clarify why increased dopamine activity is linked to positive symptoms, as opposed to the other options that suggest either decreased or unchanged levels, which would not account for the exacerbation of these symptoms.