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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics and environment contributes to development of the disease.

Problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals, including the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate, also may contribute to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people with schizophrenia. While researchers aren't certain about the significance of these changes, they support evidence that schizophrenia is a brain disease.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  2. Minzenberg MJ, et al. Schizophrenia. In: Hales RE, et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/resourceToc.aspx?resourceID=5. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  3. Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/complete-index.shtml. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  4. Fischer BA, et al. Schizophrenia: Clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  5. Jibson MD. Schizophrenia: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  6. Stroup TS, et al. Pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia: Acute and maintenance phase treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  7. Aripiprazole. U.S. National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000221/. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  8. Risperidone. U.S. National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000944/. Accessed Nov. 26, 2011.
  9. Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 30, 2011.
  10. Wall CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 20, 2011.
DS00196 Jan. 27, 2012

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