Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
08:04

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Potential microbial origins of schizophrenia and their treatments

S Hossein Fatemi1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research and Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, USA. fatem002@umn.edu

Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|June 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Research suggests a potential link between microbial infections and schizophrenia, a severe brain disorder affecting 1% of the population. Understanding these infectious origins could lead to new treatments for schizophrenia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Schizophrenia is a severe brain disease impacting roughly 1% of the global population.
  • Decades of research have explored the causes and indicators of schizophrenia.
  • Previous studies indicate a correlation between microbial factors and schizophrenia development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical research on abnormalities and markers in schizophrenia patients.
  • To explore the potential role of microbial origins in schizophrenia.
  • To identify potential new treatment avenues for schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Historical literature review.
  • Analysis of research on schizophrenia-associated abnormalities and markers.
  • Correlation analysis of microbial factors and disease development.

Main Results:

  • A correlation between potential microbial origins and schizophrenia development has been observed.
  • Infectious etiologies may contribute to some schizophrenia cases.
  • No consistent anti-infective treatments have been established for schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • Further elucidation of infectious mechanisms in schizophrenia is warranted.
  • Understanding microbial roots may reveal novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Investigating infectious origins could enhance schizophrenia prevention and treatment.

More Related Videos

A Strategy to Identify de Novo Mutations in Common Disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia05:51

A Strategy to Identify de Novo Mutations in Common Disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia

Published on: June 15, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Schizophrenia01:17

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview01:28

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic symptoms in all...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...