Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Causes: Book Excerpts
Schizophrenia as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Schizophrenia as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Schizophrenia.
Our database lists the following as having
Schizophrenia as a complication of that condition:
Schizophrenia as a symptom:
Conditions listing Schizophrenia
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Schizophrenia.
Our database lists the following as having
Schizophrenia as a symptom of that condition:
Medications or substances causing Schizophrenia:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Schizophrenia as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
Read more about medication causes of Schizophrenia
What causes Schizophrenia?
Article excerpts about the
causes of Schizophrenia:
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Scientists are studying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It appears
likely that multiple genes are involved in creating a predisposition to
develop the disorder. In addition, factors such as prenatal difficulties
like intrauterine starvation or viral infections, perinatal complications,
and various nonspecific stressors, seem to influence the development of
schizophrenia. However, it is not yet understood how the genetic
predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted
whether a given person will or will not develop the disorder.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
There have been dramatic advances in neuroimaging technology that
permit scientists to study brain structure and function in living
individuals. Many studies of people with schizophrenia have found
abnormalities in brain structure (for example, enlargement of the
fluid-filled cavities, called the ventricles, in the interior of the
brain, and decreased size of certain brain regions) or function (for
example, decreased metabolic activity in certain brain regions). It should
be emphasized that these abnormalities are quite subtle and are not
characteristic of all people with schizophrenia, nor do they occur
only in individuals with this illness. Microscopic studies of brain
tissue after death have also shown small changes in distribution or number
of brain cells in people with schizophrenia. It appears that many (but
probably not all) of these changes are present before an individual
becomes ill, and schizophrenia may be, in part, a disorder in development
of the brain.
Developmental neurobiologists funded by the National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH) have found that schizophrenia may be a developmental
disorder resulting when neurons form inappropriate connections during
fetal development. These errors may lie dormant until puberty, when
changes in the brain that occur normally during this critical stage of
maturation interact adversely with the faulty connections. This research
has spurred efforts to identify prenatal factors that may have some
bearing on the apparent developmental abnormality.
In other studies, investigators using brain-imaging techniques have
found evidence of early biochemical changes that may precede the onset of
disease symptoms, prompting examination of the neural circuits that are
most likely to be involved in producing those symptoms. Meanwhile,
scientists working at the molecular level are exploring the genetic basis
for abnormalities in brain development and in the neurotransmitter systems
regulating brain function.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
When Someone Has Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Research suggests that schizophrenia may be a developmental disorder
resulting from impaired migration of neurons in the brain during fetal
development.13
(Source: excerpt from When Someone Has Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Medical news summaries relating to Schizophrenia:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Schizophrenia:
Related information on causes of Schizophrenia:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Schizophrenia may be found in:
Causes of Schizophrenia: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Schizophrenia.
Hallucinations:
Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Delirium
–Develops over hours to days
–Fluctuates throughout the day
–Causes include dehydration, drug-induced, electrolyte imbalance, UTI, URI, hypoglycemia, and alcohol or drug withdrawal
–Occurs in 10–30% of hospital patients
–Drug-induced delirium (e.g., cocaine, β-blockers, alcohol, corticosteroids, pseudoephedrine, dopaminergic drugs)
- Alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens)
–Often presents in hospitalized patients about 3 days after admission
–Commonly presents with tactile hallucinations (e.g., formication—the sense of insects crawling over body)
–May be accompanied by seizure activity
- Hallucinogenic syndromes (e.g., LSD, marijuana, mescaline, phencyclidine, mushrooms, amphetamines)
- Schizophrenia
–Auditory hallucinations are most frequent; visual hallucinations occur in about 50% of patients, tactile in 20%, olfactory in 6%
–Progresses to positive psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder) and/or negative symptoms (e.g., anhedonia, poor concentration, flattened affect, poor social/personal function)
–1% incidence in the general population, males >females
-
Schizophreniform disorder
-
Schizoaffective disorder
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder
-
Dementia
-
Systemic lupus erythematosus
–Auditory hallucinations caused by corticosteroids; visual and tactile by lupus psychosis
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Psychotic depression
-
Postpartum major depression
-
Mass lesions
-
CNS infections/encephalitis
-
Seizures
-
Occipital lobe injury
-
Heavy metal ingestion
-
Lewy body dementia
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Hallucinations:
Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Hallucinogenic drugs
–LSD, “mushrooms,” mescaline, and PCP are primarily hallucinogens
–Amphetamines, cocaine, inhalants, and marijuana may also produce hallucinations
-
CNS acute events
–Trauma
–CNS infection
–Hypoxic events
- Psychosis
–Defined as a mental state with significant impairment in cognition, interpersonal relations, and reality testing
–Hallucinations may be a major or minor component
–Psychosis may be psychiatric or organic (secondary to CNS insult)
- Schizophrenia
–A disorder of impaired perception, cognition, interpersonal relations, and behavior with illogical and disordered thought content
–Hallucinations (most often auditory) and
delusions are common findings
–Onset is frequently in adolescence
–Frequently a positive family history
-
Seizure disorders
–Prominent auras may manifest as perceptual disturbances; visual and olfactory are the most common; tactile may also occur
-
Narcolepsy
–Hypnagogic hallucinations are hallucinations that occur while falling asleep; they may be visual or auditory
-
Medications
–Antipsychotics, anticholinergics, and
corticosteroids can rarely cause
hallucinations
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Psychotic behavior:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Organic disorders
Various organic disorders, such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, cocaine or amphetamine intoxication, cerebral hypoxia, and nutritional disorders, can produce psychotic behavior. Endocrine disorders, such as adrenal dysfunction, and severe infections, such as encephalitis, can also cause psychotic behavior. Neurologic causes include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Psychiatric disorders
Psychotic behavior usually occurs with bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and some pervasive developmental disorders.
Other causes
Drugs
Certain drugs can cause psychotic behavior. (See Psychotic behavior: An adverse drug effect.) However, almost any drug can provoke psychotic behavior as a rare, severe adverse or idiosyncratic reaction.
Surgery
Postoperative delirium and depression may produce psychotic behavior.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Schizophrenia:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Schizophrenia affects 1% to 2% of the population in the United States and is equally prevalent in both sexes. It may result from a combination of genetic, biological, cultural, and psychological factors. Some evidence supports a genetic predisposition. Close relatives of people with schizophrenia have a greater likelihood of developing schizophrenia; the closer the degree of biological relatedness, the higher the risk.
The most widely accepted biochemical theory holds that schizophrenia results from excessive activity at dopaminergic synapses. Other neurotransmitter alterations, such as serotonin increases, may also contribute to schizophrenic symptoms. In addition, patients with schizophrenia have structural abnormalities of the frontal and temporolimbic systems. Computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging studies show various structural brain abnormalities, including frontal lobe atrophy and increased lateral and third ventricles. Positron emission tomography scans substantiate frontal lobe hypometabolism.
Numerous psychological and sociocultural causes, such as disturbed family and interpersonal patterns, also have been proposed. Schizophrenia is more common in lower socioeconomic groups, possibly due to downward social drift, lack of upward socioeconomic mobility, and high stress levels that may stem from poverty, social failure, illness, and inadequate social resources. Higher incidence is also linked to low birth weight and congenital deafness.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Psychotic behavior:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Organic disorders
Various disorders, such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, cocaine or amphetamine intoxication, cerebral hypoxia, and nutritional disorders, can produce psychotic behavior. Endocrine disorders, such as adrenal dysfunction, and severe infections, such as encephalitis, can also cause psychotic behavior. Neurologic causes include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Psychiatric disorders
Psychotic behavior usually occurs with bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and some pervasive developmental disorders.
Other causes
Drugs
Certain drugs can cause psychotic behavior. (See Psychotic behavior: An adverse drug effect.) However, almost any drug can provoke psychotic behavior as a rare, severe adverse or idiosyncratic reaction.
Surgery
Postoperative delirium and depression may produce psychotic behavior.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Delirium/Hallucinations:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Systemic
❑ Drugs/toxins
❑ Sepsis
❑ Hypoglycemia
❑ Hypercalcemia
❑ Hyponatremia
❑ Shock
❑ Delirium tremens
❑ Vitamin B12 deficiency
❑ Hypoxia
❑ Hypercapnia
❑ Thyrotoxicosis
❑ Uremia
❑ Hepatic encephalopathy
❑ Thiamine deficiency
❑ Heat stroke
❑ Hypothermia
❑ Lead intoxication
❑ Carbon monoxide poisoning
Neurologic
❑ Concussion
❑ Hypertensive encephalopathy
❑ Subdural hematoma
❑ Postictal
❑ Transient global amnesia
❑ Meningitis
❑ Right parietal stroke
❑ Encephalitis
❑ Vasculitis
❑ Carcinomatous meningitis
Hallucinations
❑ Drugs
❑ Schizophrenia
❑ Temporal lobe epilepsy
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Schizophrenia:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Schizophrenia may result from a combination of genetic, biological, cultural, and psychological factors.
Genetic evidence
Some evidence supports a genetic predisposition. Close relatives of persons with schizophrenia are up to 50 times more likely to develop schizophrenia; the closer the degree of biological relatedness, the higher the risk.
Biochemical theory
The most widely accepted biochemical hypothesis holds that schizophrenia results from excessive activity at dopa-minergic synapses. Other neurotransmitter alterations may also contribute to schizophrenic symptoms. In addition, patients with schizophrenia have structural abnormalities of the frontal and temporolimbic systems.
Other causes
Numerous psychological and sociocultural causes, such as disturbed family and interpersonal patterns, also have been proposed. Schizophrenia occurs more often among people from lower socioeconomic groups, possibly the result of downward social drift, lack of upward socioeconomic mobility, and high stress levels that may stem from poverty, social failure, illness, and inadequate social resources. Higher incidence also is linked to low birth weight.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Psychotic behavior:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Organic disorders
Various disorders, such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, cocaine or amphetamine intoxication, cerebral hypoxia, and nutritional disorders, can produce psychotic behavior. Endocrine disorders, such as adrenal dysfunction, and severe infections, such as encephalitis, can also cause psychotic behavior. Neurologic causes include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Psychiatric disorders
Psychotic behavior usually occurs with bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and some pervasive developmental disorders.
Other causes
Drugs
Certain drugs can cause psychotic behavior. (See Psychotic behavior: An adverse drug effect, page 526.) However, almost any drug can provoke psychotic behavior as a rare, severe adverse or idiosyncratic reaction.
Surgery
Postoperative delirium and depression may produce psychotic behavior.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Psychotic behavior:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Organic disorders.Various organic disorders, such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, cocaine or amphetamine intoxication, cerebral hypoxia, and nutritional disorders, can produce psychotic behavior. Endocrine disorders, such as adrenal dysfunction, and severe infections, such as encephalitis, can also cause psychotic behavior. Neurologic causes include Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Psychiatric disorders.Psychotic behavior usually occurs with bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and some pervasive developmental disorders.
Other causes
Drugs.Certain drugs can cause psychotic behavior. (See Psychotic behavior: An adverse drug effect, pages 492 and 493.)However, almost any drug can provoke psychotic behavior as a rare, severe adverse or idiosyncratic reaction.
Surgery.Postoperative delirium and depression may produce psychotic behavior.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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