- Section 1 The Subject Matter of and Approach to Psychiatry
- 1.3 Psychiatry as a worldwide public health problem
- 1.4 The history of psychiatry as a medical specialty
- 1.5 Ethics and values
- 1.6 The psychiatrist as a manager
- 1.7 Descriptive phenomenology
- 1.8 Assessment
- 1.9 Diagnosis and classification
- 1.10 From science to practice
- Section 2 The Scientific Basis of Psychiatric Aetiology
- 2.3 The contribution of neurosciences
- 2.4 The contribution of genetics
- 2.5 The contribution of psychological science
- 2.6 The contribution of social sciences
- 2.7 The contribution of epidemiology to psychiatric aetiology
- Section 3 Psychodynamic Contributions to Psychiatry
- Section 4 Clinical Syndromes of Adult Psychiatry
- 4.1 Delirium, dementia, amnesia, and other cognitive disorders
- 4.2 Substance use disorders
- 4.3 Schizophrenia and acute transient psychotic disorders
- 4.3.6 Aetiology
- 4.3.6.1 Genetic and environmental risk factors for schizophrenia
- 4.3.6.2 The neurobiology of schizophrenia
- 4.3.7 Course and outcome of schizophrenia and their prediction
- 4.3.8 Treatment and management of schizophrenia
- 4.3.9 Schizoaffective and schizotypal disorders
- 4.3.10 Acute and transient psychotic disorders
- 4.4 Persistent delusional symptoms and disorders
- 4.5 Mood disorders
- 4.6 Stress-related and adjustment disorders
- 4.7 Anxiety disorders
- Section 5 Psychiatry and Medicine
- Section 6 Treatment Methods in Psychiatry
- 6.2 Somatic treatments
- Section 7 Social Psychiatry and Service Provision
- Section 8 The Psychiatry of Old Age
- Section 9 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
The neurobiology of schizophrenia
- Chapter:
- The neurobiology of schizophrenia
- Author(s):
Paul J. Harrison
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199696758.003.0077
Significant progress has been made in understanding the neurobiology of schizophrenia over the past decade (Table 4.3.6.2.4). In particular, there is now good evidence for a dopaminergic dysfunction, and for structural brain changes that are present at, and in part before, the onset of illness. There is also emerging evidence for several susceptibility genes, accompanied by data suggesting mechanisms by which these genes contribute to the neurodevelopmental and other pathogenic processes that are thought to lead to schizophrenia. Whilst highlighting the progress, one must also acknowledge that much remains unknown (Table 4.3.6.2.5), and it is a moot point how and when the research advances will impact on the diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis of schizophrenia.
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- Section 1 The Subject Matter of and Approach to Psychiatry
- 1.3 Psychiatry as a worldwide public health problem
- 1.4 The history of psychiatry as a medical specialty
- 1.5 Ethics and values
- 1.6 The psychiatrist as a manager
- 1.7 Descriptive phenomenology
- 1.8 Assessment
- 1.9 Diagnosis and classification
- 1.10 From science to practice
- Section 2 The Scientific Basis of Psychiatric Aetiology
- 2.3 The contribution of neurosciences
- 2.4 The contribution of genetics
- 2.5 The contribution of psychological science
- 2.6 The contribution of social sciences
- 2.7 The contribution of epidemiology to psychiatric aetiology
- Section 3 Psychodynamic Contributions to Psychiatry
- Section 4 Clinical Syndromes of Adult Psychiatry
- 4.1 Delirium, dementia, amnesia, and other cognitive disorders
- 4.2 Substance use disorders
- 4.3 Schizophrenia and acute transient psychotic disorders
- 4.3.6 Aetiology
- 4.3.6.1 Genetic and environmental risk factors for schizophrenia
- 4.3.6.2 The neurobiology of schizophrenia
- 4.3.7 Course and outcome of schizophrenia and their prediction
- 4.3.8 Treatment and management of schizophrenia
- 4.3.9 Schizoaffective and schizotypal disorders
- 4.3.10 Acute and transient psychotic disorders
- 4.4 Persistent delusional symptoms and disorders
- 4.5 Mood disorders
- 4.6 Stress-related and adjustment disorders
- 4.7 Anxiety disorders
- Section 5 Psychiatry and Medicine
- Section 6 Treatment Methods in Psychiatry
- 6.2 Somatic treatments
- Section 7 Social Psychiatry and Service Provision
- Section 8 The Psychiatry of Old Age
- Section 9 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry