title: Catastrophe theory: a model interaction between neurochemical and environmental influences in the control of schizophrenia.
abstract: Catastrophe theory is a new mathematical technique relating variables in a novel, discontinuous way. It suggests ways in which neurochemical and environmental influences could interact so that very small changes in either variable may produce rapid changes in intensity of psychosis that are characteristic of schizophrenia. Other behavioural and pharmacological characteristics of schizophrenia previously considered paradoxical may be similarly explicable, and the model predicts factors most likely to generate relapse.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D012931:Social Environment
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents