Causes of schizophrenia
Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia (pronunciation: /ˌskɪtsəˈfriːniə/) is a severe mental disorder characterized by abnormal behavior, strange speech, and a decreased ability to understand reality. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and environment contributes to the development of the disorder.
Genetics
Genetics (pronunciation: /dʒɪˈnɛtɪks/) play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia. It is known that the condition tends to run in families, but no single gene is considered responsible. Instead, it is thought that different combinations of genes make a person more susceptible to the condition. However, it is not just about the genes inherited from parents. Genetic changes that occur after conception may also play a role.
Brain Chemistry
The brain chemistry (pronunciation: /breɪn ˈkɛmɪstri/) is also believed to be involved in the onset of schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people with schizophrenia. While researchers are not certain about the significance of these changes, they indicate that schizophrenia is a brain disease.
Environment
Environmental factors (pronunciation: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəl ˈfæktərz/) may also contribute to schizophrenia. These may include living conditions, drug use, and prenatal stressors. For example, some studies indicate that excessive use of mind-altering drugs during teen years and young adulthood can increase the risk of schizophrenia. A higher rate of schizophrenia is also observed among individuals who grew up in urban areas.
Related Terms
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Mental health
- Neurotransmitter
- Dopamine
- Glutamate
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Causes of schizophrenia
- Wikipedia's article - Causes of schizophrenia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski