Biology of schizophrenia
Many different approaches have been used to investigate the causes of psychotic symptoms. It is now established beyond doubt that schizophrenia is a biological disorder (although environmental factors have a critical role in the aetiology of schizophrenia). Although many controversies and mysteries exist in schizophrenia research, there is now a huge body of evidence of subtle but crucial differences in brain structure and function in people with schizophrenia.
It is only relatively recently that we have been able to study the structure of the living brain, using techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Using these methods, we are able to study the shape and volumes of brain structures, and how these structures communicate and connect with others. Prior to the development of these methods, research was limited to post-mortem studies, which obviously limited the range of clinical populations that could be studied, and also precluded any type of longitudinal study of, for example, the effects of long-term antipsychotic medication, or possible degenerative brain changes.
Find out more about brain structure in schizophrenia
It is clear that schizophrenia is characterised by subtle but important changes in brain structure. However, psychotic symptoms and the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia reflect abnormal functioning of the brain. Therefore there is a great deal of interest in studying what is happening in the brain of a person with schizophrenia. Modern imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) allow us to study the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs, and to identify those regions of the brain that may be functionally abnormal.
Find out more about brain function in schizophrenia
Genetic studies have shown that schizophrenia is, to some extent, hereditary. The research is now progressing in two different directions.
Researchers are studying genes that may be involved in the illness, and looking for ways to direct treatment according to different genetic make up (pharmacogenetics).
In other studies, brain imaging is used in families with a member with schizophrenia. This kind of research is identifying differences in the brain for people at risk of schizophrenia. It is also providing more information on the relation between the environment and genetics on the causes of illness.
Find out more about genetic studies in schizophrenia
Further reading
Tonmoy Sharma and Xavier Chitnis: Brain Imaging in Schizophrenia ReMEDICA Publishing, London, 2000
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