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Schizophrenia: from mechanism to therapy
Zhe Lu1, Junyuan Sun1, Guorui Zhao1
1Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
Science China. Life Sciences
|January 27, 2026
Summary
Schizophrenia
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder with symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive deficits.
- Its causes involve a mix of neurochemical, neurodevelopmental, genetic, and immune factors.
- Current treatments, mainly antipsychotics, have limited efficacy for negative and cognitive symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the neurobiology of schizophrenia.
- To explore how these findings can inform new treatment strategies.
- To discuss implications for precision medicine in treating psychotic symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on schizophrenia etiology and neurobiology.
- Analysis of proposed hypotheses including neurochemical, neurodevelopmental, genetic, and immune factors.
- Examination of current therapeutic approaches and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia's etiology is multifactorial, involving dopamine/glutamate dysregulation, prenatal insults, genetic risks, and immune dysfunction.
- Existing treatments primarily target dopamine but often fail to fully address all symptoms.
- Understanding these complex mechanisms is key to developing better treatments.
Conclusions:
- Advances in understanding schizophrenia's neurobiology are crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Future treatments may involve early intervention, personalized medicine, and novel pharmacological/psychosocial approaches.
- Mechanistically-based treatments and precision medicine offer promise for improved patient outcomes.
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