Early theories regarding the development of schizophrenia hypothesized that a large percentage of the onset of the psychotic disorder was due to genetic predisposition (Leboyer et al., 2008; Tsuang, Stone, & Faraone, 2001). Meehl (1962) theorized that schizotaxia, a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia, inevitably results in schizotpy, the physical materialization of schizophrenia. Other early theories suggested that 80% of the likelihood of developing schizophrenia could be attributed to genetics (Leboyer et al., 2008).
However, as more studies are conducted, schizophrenia presents itself as a phenotype that is manifested due to a number of genetic and environmental influences interacting with one another (Tsuang et al, 2001; van Os, Rutten, & Poulton 2008; Leboyer et al., 2008). Unlike Meehl’s theories, schizotpy is not the only outcome to genetic predisposition, and predisposition does not indicate necessary diagnosis. There are many factors that can contribute to the onset of schizophrenia and a number of theories attempt to explain how these interactions develop into psychosis. Multi-factorial polygenic theories suggest that a combination of genetic and environmental factors compound with one another until they reach a crucial point in which schizophrenia becomes manifest (Tsuang et al, 2001). This would imply that it is not the influence of a single gene, but a complex combination of various genes and environmental situations that are associated with the onset of
Researchers also believe that genes are one of the causes of schizophrenia, however they are convinced that genes alone can’t be the main cause, they just make a person more likely to develop the mental disease. (Nimh.nih.gov,
Genetics play a role in the development of schizophrenia. When looking closer at the brain chemistry between a person with schizophrenia and a person with out schizophrenia there are
There are two main biological theories which explain the assumed causes of schizophrenia: Genetic and Dopamine Hypothesis.
SMAGLIK, PAUL. "Schizophrenia's Genetic Spark." Discover 38.1 (2017): 60. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec. 2016.)
There was a large difference in the incidence of schizophrenia when they were adults between the two groups. The group with schizophrenic mothers were found to have a 10.3% chance of being schizophrenic and the group with non-schizophrenic mothers were found to have only a 1.1% chance of being schizophrenic.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by distorted thinking, impaired emotional responses, poor interpersonal skills and a distortion of reality. It is the most common of psychotic disorders that, in most countries around the world, affects around 1 per cent of the population. In terms of explanations for the disorder, two central types of explanations arise – psychological explanations and biological explanations. Whereas psychological explanations tend to focus on cognitive, emotional and environmental factors that may cause the disorder, biological explanations tend to focus on genetic, biochemical and neuro-anatomical factors as the cause of the
With the advent of more effiecient and realiable brain imaging technologies, schizophrenia has been able to be identified as a brain disorder. This disease affects both the physiological structures of the brain and the mental processes that occur daily. Furthermore, by schizophrenia being identified as a disease that can start in the womb, hopefully scientist can develop a cure before schezonphrenic patients are even
This paper defines schizophrenia from a biological and psychological perspective and also provides treatment to help combat symptoms of schizophrenia. This paper has three important contributions. First, by defining and expanding on schizophrenia from a biological perspective, I can identify the nature related predispositions. After expanding from a biological approach, secondly, I will analyze schizophrenia from a psychological aspect by determining if there is any environment or nurturing externals that can result to schizophrenia. Lastly, I will provide treatment details and also reveal early signs to schizophrenia. This paper is important because schizophrenia is an epic mental disease and it is crucially important to bring awareness to the public of how we can limit the illness. It is unclear whether schizophrenia have only a biological background or psychological background, but what was discovered is that both contribute to schizophrenia. Positive and negative treatment can be combatted undergoing pharmaceutical and psychotherapy,
While there is no cure for schizophrenia, research is leading to new, safer treatments. Experts also are unraveling the causes of the disease by studying genetics, conducting behavioral research, and by using advanced imaging to look at the brain’s structure and function. These novel approaches hold the promise of new, more effective therapies.
Gottesman also supports the genetic link, showing schizophrenia is more common in close biological relatives of a schizophrenic. However genetic explanations cannot account for the patients who have no family history of the disorder. Biochemical factors are used to suggest that schizophrenia is caused by abnormal neurotransmitter activity. The main aspect of this explanation is the Dopamine hypothesis. Schizophrenia has been linked to with high levels of dopamine in the brain.
Biological theorists believe that individuals may have a genetic predisposition for the schizophrenia if a close family member has been diagnosed with the disorder. Stress during adolescent years seems to provoke the disorder among individuals who have a family history of the disorder. In addition, this theory suggests biochemical abnormalities related to the dopamine neurotransmitters may also contribute to the illness as the brains neurotransmission of the dopamine is too frequent in occurrence (Comer, 2005). CAT and MRI scans have also indicated that abnormal brain structuring may also play a role in the development of schizophrenia due to a common occurrence of enlarged ventricles within schizophrenia sufferers (Comer, 2005). Various parts of the brain may not develop for function properly which seems lead to Type II schizophrenia. Studies have also pointed towards the idea that exposure to certain viruses before birth may lead to the eventual development of schizophrenia (Comer, 2005).
Researchers favouring the biological explanation look at genetic factors, brain structure and biochemical explanations. Many researchers would suggest that the debate over whether schizophrenia is passed down through genetics is no longer a
Schizophrenia can be passed down thru generations even though there is not a specific gene associated with the disorder. It is considered to be a combination of genes that make a person susceptible to becoming schizophrenic. This information is found mainly thought the study of twins. By having the same genes it can be viewed why genes contribute to the potential of schizophrenia. Even though genetics is a viable factor in the analysis of the cause of schizophrenia there are more supporting factors found in neurotransmitters.
One out of ten children of a schizophrenic parent will develop schizophrenia. The risk of 10% is greater then frequency of schizophrenia in the general population which is about 1% which would mean that schizophrenia is more likely to develop is some families than others most children of schizophrenic parents are completely normal. The most interesting investigation that is still going on that remains a mystery of schizophrenia is that genes alone do not explain who gets ill. Example of this is twins as all there genes are in common but if one of the identical twins has schizophrenia the other twin has the highest risk of developing schizophrenia. About 40% of twins of a schizophrenic live completely normal lives without disease.
Conclusions / Results: Conclusions suggest that the nature vs nurture dichotomy may not be as relevant as looking at the interaction between these two forces. It was discovered that while one’s genetic heritage creates a predisposition towards schizophrenia, other factors such as the home environment, the parental environment, dietary factors and others may determine whether the disease is manifested.