Schizophrenia is a disease with unknown pathophysiology and etiology.
Until recently, what was best known about this disease was derived from
clinical observations. Preclinical neuroscience is flourishing with
discoveries and advances in all areas of brain function, particularly
the cellular and the molecular.
As a way to explain the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, Schizophrenia
in a Molecular Age reviews neuroscience mechanisms and analyzes genetic
determinants. This book presents: - A dimensional model of schizophrenia
phenomenology that groups schizophrenia phenotypes into three groups: a
reality distortion syndrome, a disorganization syndrome, and a
psychomotor poverty syndrome- Evidence for the neurobiologic basis of
the cognitive impairments in schizophrenia- New and evolving techniques
of functional brain imaging and what they can tell us about normal brain
function and its pathology- Data on the anatomic units of cognition and
correlates with gene and protein units- The molecular mechanisms of
antipsychotic drug action and the group of new antipsychotics- New
treatments to offer, including medications, and psychological and
psychosocial interventions, which are significantly better than previous
treatment options
The new molecular age presents an exciting opportunity for schizophrenia
research. This book is a helpful tool for clinicians in gaining a fuller
understanding of schizophrenia. It previews future advances in the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
