Recent results in research on schizophrenia in biological psychiatry

Author(s): Emrich, H. M.

Journal/Book: Dynam Psych. 1999; 32: Kantstrasse 120/121, D-10625 Berlin, Germany. Pinel-Verlag Fur Humanistische Psych Philos. 365-375.

Abstract: According to the current view, schizophrenia pathogenetically cannot be attributed to only a single causative factor, but rather arises from a complex pattern of pathogenetic conditions. Psychiatric genetics demonstrates the existence of genetic conditions, but nontheless the inheritance of schizophrenia does not fit simple Mendelian models. Additionally, gender differences, neurostructural abnormalities, and psychosocial deficiencies have also been proposed to play an important part in the etiology of schizophrenic psychoses. The research for neurochemical correlates of schizophrenia has shifted in recent years from the classical dopamine hypothesis to an increased set of various neurotransmitter imbalance models involving not only the dopaminergic system but also glutaminergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, and GABA-ergic transmission. With increased sophistication of biological investigation and pharmacological treatment, it becomes more Important to differentiate between subcategories of schizophrenia that may require special therapeutic regimes.

Note: Article Schneider U, Med Hsch Hannover, Zentrum Psychol Med, Abt Klin Psychiat & Psychotherapie, Carl Neuberg Str 1, D-30625 Hannover, GERMANY

Keyword(s): CANNABINOID RECEPTOR; RAT-BRAIN; ANANDAMIDE; HYPOTHESIS

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