Early diagnosis of schizophrenia--the first step towards secondary prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To review current knowledge of risk factors associated with schizophrenia and the development of diagnostic markers aimed at the delay or attenuation of the first psychotic episode.


METHODS
Studies relating to the development of disease and the risk factors that could inform predictive markers are reviewed, including high-risk studies, birth-cohort studies, and retrospective and follow-back studies.


RESULTS
Future schizophrenic patients present with delayed developmental milestones, speech and behavioural difficulties, and lower IQ scores than non-cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are consistent with the notion that schizophrenia is a developmental disease and that such antecedents are present; further research is required to improve the specificity of diagnostic markers and predictive power before these can be used to prevent or delay psychotic episodes of schizophrenia.
Davidson
M
M
Sackler School of Medicine, TAU, Israel.
Weiser
M
M
D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*