New developments in schizophrenia
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Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
N Keks1, P Mazumdar, R Shields
1Monash University, Victoria. N.Keks@alfred.org.au
Background:
Over 2% of the population suffer from schizophrenia and related psychoses. Virtually all sufferers now live in the community, and go to see their general practitioners.
Objective:
To overview recent developments in the presentation and causes of schizophrenia and its treatment with medication and psychosocial intervention.
Discussion:
The diagnostic boundaries of schizophrenia have become less distinct as aetiological and therapeutic similarities between schizoaffective and affective psychoses have emerged. The importance of specific symptom groups (positive, negative, cognitive, manic, depressed) with respect to brain mechanisms and response to treatment has been recognised. It is now thought that recognition of early phase illness and vigorous treatment aimed at relapse prevention may improve long term prognosis. Availability of new medications has improved outcomes. Patients with schizophrenia living in the community need a range of services best delivered through collaborative care between GPs, community and specialist services.
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