Schizophrenia is considered one of the most complex psychological disorders, as it directly affects thinking, perception, and behavior, and makes those suffering from it have difficulty distinguishing between reality and imagination, in what is known as psychosis.
The exact cause of this disorder is still not definitively known, but research indicates that genetic and environmental factors interact in its appearance.
Having a family history of the disease increases the likelihood of infection, while factors such as severe psychological stress, exposure to infections or toxic substances before birth, and childhood trauma may contribute to raising the level of risk.
Recent studies also link schizophrenia to changes in brain structure and chemical functions. This research indicates that some patients may suffer from enlarged brain ventricles, which are fluid-filled cavities, in addition to the small size of the middle temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory, and a defect in communications between nerve cells.
Medical imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), show that gray matter in the brain – which contains nerve cells – may gradually decrease in some patients, which may be associated with the emergence and worsening of symptoms.
Research also indicates that the interaction between genetic and non-genetic factors plays an important role, as some environmental influences, such as drug abuse, living in crowded urban environments, or exposure to social pressures, may lead to infection only in people with a prior genetic predisposition.
Schizophrenia usually appears in late adolescence or early adulthood, and is diagnosed in men at an earlier age than in women. Its most prominent symptoms include hallucinations, especially auditory, where the patient hears voices that do not exist, in addition to delusions, which are firm but incorrect beliefs, such as the belief that they are being monitored or persecuted.
Those affected also suffer from disturbances in thinking and behavior, difficulty in expressing emotions, as well as problems with memory and concentration, which affects their ability to study, work and social interaction. In some cases, risky behaviors may appear, such as substance abuse or thoughts of harming oneself, which requires specialized medical intervention.
Brain chemicals
Schizophrenia may be associated with a disorder in the chemicals inside the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which are responsible for transmitting signals between brain cells. In some cases, the activity of these transmitters may be higher or lower than the normal rate.
Dopamine and glutamate are among the most prominent transmitters associated with schizophrenia, as they contribute to the processes of thinking, understanding, and motivation. When their balance is disturbed, a person’s perception of reality may be affected, leading to symptoms such as hallucinations, that is, seeing or hearing things that do not exist.
Dopamine is also linked to addiction, and plays a role in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. One theory suggests that increased activity may contribute to the emergence of hallucinations and delusions, which is why antipsychotic medications reduce its effect.
As for glutamate, it is linked to memory, mood, and thinking functions, and affects the activity of some areas of the brain. Any imbalance in its levels may lead to symptoms such as poor social interaction and dulled feelings.
Researchers are still seeking to understand how these transmitters interact within brain circuits, and how this interaction contributes to the symptoms of schizophrenia.