[Present views on pathogenesis of schizophrenia]

Schizophrenia is recognized as a disorder of complex etiology including biological and environmental factors. The paper describes, first of all, biological abnormalities. It uses neurodevelopmental model assuming the existence of neuropathological process. The process starts in the pre-natal period, undergoes changes under the influence of developmental factors, and, finally, manifests itself in psychotic symptoms. Particularly, the author suggests that diathesis for schizophrenia involves functional excess of dopamine activity in the basal ganglia. It causes disruption in neuronal circuits, thus releasing psychotic symptoms. Additionally, the paper describes anatomic changes, neuronal circuitry malfunctions and impairments in metabolic activity of brain detected in numerous studies on schizophrenic patients.