title: Schizophrenia: etiology and course.
abstract: Decades of research on schizophrenia have not produced major breakthroughs, but gradual progress has been made in identifying risk factors and clarifying the nature of the etiologic process. This article provides an overview of trends in research findings as well as current assumptions about the interplay between environmental and genetic factors in the etiology of schizophrenia. Based on the cumulative findings, it appears that both genetic and prenatal factors can give rise to constitutional vulnerability. Subsequent neuromaturational processes, especially those that occur during adolescence, and exposure to stressful events can trigger the behavioral expression of this vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. psyefw@emory.edu,
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kestler
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bollini
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hochman
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine