Schizophrenia, a chronic disorder marked by both positive and negative symptoms, challenges millions globally. Diagnosed through the presence of symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and social withdrawal, which must affect social and occupational functioning for at least six months, schizophrenia’s complexity extends from its symptomatology to its neurobiology.

The genetics of schizophrenia suggest a highly polygenic nature involving various genetic loci and a pleiotropic genetic architecture, linking it with other disorders like bipolar and autism spectrum disorders. Genetic findings, primarily through genomic-wide association studies, reveal correlations with immune and inflammatory processes, indicating their roles from developmental stages to adulthood. This understanding broadens the scope of treatment strategies beyond current dopamine-centric approaches, suggesting that targeting immune pathways could be crucial. Moreover, the condition’s basis in altered neuroanatomy, with changes in brain regions associated with memory and decision-making, highlights the need for integrated approaches. These approaches should encompass genetics, neurobiology, and psychosocial factors to advance treatment and improve outcomes.

Reference: Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Pormento MKL, et al. Neurobiology of Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23959. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23959.