Biological Aspects of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects more than 2 million people in the United States. The pathophysiology of schizophrenia was originally linked to dysregulation of the dopaminergic pathways in the brain, but more recently has been linked to dysregulation of other neurotransmitter pathways as well particularly the serotonergic pathways. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia, which include hallucinations and delusions, are thought to be associated with disturbances in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Negative symptoms, including apathy and social withdrawal are believed to arise from alterations in the mesocortical system. The delicate interplay between the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin is now believed to be associated with the symptoms of schizophrenia. Structural brain abnormalities, including enlarged ventricles and cortical atrophy, may also play a role in schizophrenia.