There are continuous new discoveries of the cause of schizophrenia. Here are some causes suggested and discovered to be the causes of schizophrenia
Imbalance of dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to feel pleasure as part of the brain reward system. It is one of the four feel good hormones (Serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin). Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormally low prefrontal dopamine activity (causing deficit symptoms) leading to excessive dopamine activity in mesolimbic dopamine neurons (causing positive symptoms).
Genetics: Genetics accounts for 60- 80% of risk for developing schizophrenia. The chance of having schizophrenia is 10% if an immediate family member has it and 65% if an identical twin has it. Identical twins developed from the same zygote, hence have the same gene composition. Immediate family members share their genes. That is why traits are transferred like hair texture, athletic ability, dimples, diabetes, and eye color. There is an increased risk of schizophrenia if a person inherits specific variants (different forms of the same gene) in a gene related to “synaptic pruning” (elimination of connections between neutrons). It has also been discovered that more than 100 regions in the human genome carry risk factors for schizophrenia. Synaptic pruning is particularly active during adolescence, which is the typical period for onset for symptoms of schizophrenia, and the brains of schizophrenia patients tend to show fewer connections between neutrons. The chances of having schizophrenia is 10% if an immediate family member (a parent or sibling) has the illness and 65% if an identical twin has it.
Imbalance of serotonin
Other triggers: childhood trauma and cannabis use
Comments