Measuring liability to schizophrenia: progress report 1994: editors' introduction

The first aim of this issue of the Schizophrenia Bulletin is to provide an up-to-date review of the major domains of research in the experimental psychopathology of schizophrenia, in which important contributions to our understanding of putative pathophysiologic mechanisms have been made. This research has identified several biobehavioral traits as measures of enhanced liability to schizophrenia. Rather than present a substantive review of the research on a particular trait, the authors of several articles focus on a critical appraisal and evaluation of the literature since 1987 in their particular area. The second aim of this issue is to present new methodologic approaches and conceptualizations for incorporating biobehavioral trait data in future psychiatric research designs. Now is the time not only to recognize past contributions but also to recognize that further advances in our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia may depend on continued research in experimental psychopathology that culminates in an integration in both methods and research design across disparate scientific fields.