Is psychosis a neurobiological syndrome?
OBJECTIVE
To describe theoretical weaknesses in the DSM-IV criteria for psychotic disorders and to argue that schizophrenia-like psychosis is a neurobiological syndrome similar to aphasia or apraxia.


METHODS
We outline the criteria for the concept of neurobiological syndrome and present supporting evidence for schizophrenia-like psychosis as a neurobiological syndrome.


RESULTS
There is evidence in the literature to support the hypothesis that schizophrenia-like psychosis is a neurobiological syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Conceptualizing schizophrenia-like psychosis as a neurobiological syndrome has important implications for both clinicians and researchers.
Fujii
Daryl E
DE
Department of Psychology, Hawaii State Hospital, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA. defujii@hsh.health.state.hi.us
Ahmed
Iqbal
I
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin