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Related Concept Videos

Schizophrenia01:17

Schizophrenia

998
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...
998
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

644
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...
644
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

635
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...
635
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia01:30

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

604
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
604
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

2.0K
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...
2.0K
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions01:30

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions

671
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...
671

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and schizophrenia.

Jessica L Gören1

  • 1Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island; Senior Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, jgoren@challiance.org.

The Mental Health Clinician
|June 30, 2018
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Summary

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in brain development and function. This review explores the evidence linking BDNF alterations to schizophrenia, suggesting new therapeutic targets beyond dopamine.

Keywords:
BDNFbrain-derived neurotrophic factorschizophrenia

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Schizophrenia affects ~1% of the population, with dopamine dysfunction historically implicated.
  • Dopaminergic drugs are not universally effective, prompting research into other pathophysiological mechanisms.
  • Neurodevelopment and plasticity alterations are increasingly recognized in schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neurological processes.
  • To examine the evidence implicating BDNF in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on BDNF.
  • Analysis of genetic, expression, and functional data related to BDNF in schizophrenia.

Main Results:

  • BDNF is crucial for neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, cognition, and neurotransmission.
  • Genetic variations, altered expression, and functional changes in BDNF are linked to psychiatric disorders.
  • Evidence suggests a significant role for BDNF in the development and progression of schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • BDNF is a key factor in neurodevelopment and plasticity relevant to schizophrenia.
  • Altered BDNF pathways represent a promising area for novel schizophrenia treatments.
  • Further research into BDNF modulation could lead to more effective therapies for schizophrenia.