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Debunking evolutionary psychiatry's schizophrenia paradox
1Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) & Institute of Philosophy, University of Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 13, 02.11, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Pieter.Adriaens@hiw.kuleuven.be
Medical Hypotheses
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Schizophrenia may not have an evolutionary history. This study questions the natural selection hypothesis for schizophrenia genes, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychiatry
- Philosophy of Medicine
- Psychiatric Epidemiology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is considered an enigma in evolutionary psychiatry due to its prevalence, heritability, and negative impact on reproductive success.
- Existing explanations often invoke balancing selection, proposing that benefits of schizophrenia genotypes outweigh their detriments.
- This paper challenges the assumptions underpinning these evolutionary explanations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the factual and philosophical assumptions in evolutionary psychiatric explanations of schizophrenia.
- To investigate the impact of schizophrenia on reproductive success, its genetics, history, and epidemiology.
- To examine the concept of schizophrenia as a 'natural kind' in evolutionary psychiatry.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of factual data concerning schizophrenia's reproductive impact, genetics, history, and epidemiology.
- Philosophical critique of the 'natural kind' assumption applied to schizophrenia.
- Examination of the construct of schizophrenia as a heterogeneous umbrella concept.
Main Results:
- Factual assumptions regarding schizophrenia's impact on reproductive success, genetics, history, and epidemiology are questioned.
- The philosophical assumption that schizophrenia is a discrete, natural entity with distinct biological causes is refuted.
- Schizophrenia is proposed to be a reified umbrella concept encompassing diverse disorders.
Conclusions:
- The concept of 'schizophrenia genes' subject to balancing selection is likely flawed.
- Schizophrenia, as currently defined, lacks a distinct evolutionary history.
- Reconceptualizing schizophrenia as a heterogeneous construct is necessary for understanding its origins and evolution.
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