Imagine hearing things no one else can hear and seeing things no one else can see. Your thoughts trapped behind a wall, your brain unable to form a sentence. Feeling intensely paranoid that you’re being watched or followed. Experiencing sudden bouts of irritability or resentment. Having difficulty interpreting social cues. These are all things people living with schizophrenia experience every single day.
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe brain disorder estimated to affect 1.1 percent of the population, or about 2.6 million adults in the U.S. An estimated 40 percent of these individuals with schizophrenia are left untreated in any given year. Fortunately, new research shows that with a combination of medication, therapy, and a strong support system, schizophrenia is manageable, and those affected have the ability to lead normal, fulfilling lives.
The causes of schizophrenia
#Can schizophrenia be inherited?
Schizophrenia can be the result of genetic variations passed down within families. Being related to someone with schizophrenia increases the risk of developing the disorder, but it doesn’t guarantee it. Having one parent with schizophrenia increases the risk by up to 15%, and if both parents have the disorder, the risk of their child developing it rises to 40%. In the case of identical twins, the risk is the highest, at 50%, if one of the twins is diagnosed. While researchers don’t think a single gene is responsible for the disorder, a combination of genes is most likely responsible for increasing a person’s chances of developing schizophrenia.
To be clear, scientists believe several genes are connected to an increased risk of schizophrenia – not just one. In fact, it probably takes more than just genetics to cause the disorder. Scientists agree that environmental factors may be involved in a person’s risk for developing schizophrenia, such as exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth or problems during birth.
Is Schizophrenia Inherited from Your Mother or Father?
#Differences in brain structure
Brain scans of people diagnosed with schizophrenia show alterations in brain structure and function, including differences in gray matter (areas that are dense with nerve cell bodies) and white matter (areas that are dense with insulated nerve fibers). In patients with schizophrenia, there has been a noted loss of gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, which is where the brain formulates plans. Researchers have also found that people with schizophrenia have larger spaces, called ventricles, in the brain, and the parts of the brain associated with memory, called the medial temporal lobes, were smaller.
#Chemical changes in the brain
Chemical imbalances in the brain are also associated with schizophrenia, particularly in the case of neurotransmitters, which allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Imbalances of chemicals such as dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin are linked to schizophrenia. Dopamine in particular can cause overstimulation in the brains of people with schizophrenia, which could account for some symptoms of the disorder.
#Pregnancy or complications with birth
Researchers also think early disruptions during pregnancy and birth complications can be a contributing factor to schizophrenia. Exposure to viral infections, environmental toxins such as alcohol and lead, and malnutrition during the first six months of pregnancy have been linked to schizophrenia, along with low birth weight, premature labor, and lack of oxygen during delivery.
#Childhood trauma
Research into schizophrenia causes has also looked at environmental factors that are unrelated to biological causes, such as childhood trauma. While research into these factors is not yet conclusive, there have been noted links between people with schizophrenia and their experiences with abuse or neglect as children. In particular, children who have experienced the death or permanent separation of one or both parents have shown an increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
#Drug use
While drug use is not technically a suspected cause of schizophrenia, it is a widely-accepted trigger for symptoms of the disorder for people who are already at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. Drugs known to trigger symptoms include:
- LSD: The psychedelic drug alters thinking and perception and also produces hallucinations
- Amphetamines: Drugs such as meth and PCP can induce hallucinations and paranoia and increase aggression
- Cocaine: Cocaine impacts chemicals in the brain, including dopamine
- Cannabis: While there is evidence that cannabis use increases the risk of developing psychoses, there is also evidence that people with schizophrenia are more inclined to use cannabis
Research has shown that the younger a person is when starting to take drugs, the more likely they are to develop symptoms of schizophrenia.
Clinical Research For Schizophreniain San Diego
If you think a loved one has schizophrenia, the best way to show your support is by helping that person get evaluated and treated. At Synergy Research Centers in San Diego, we’re currently enrolling participants 18 and over for an inpatient clinical research study on schizophrenia in San Diego. Transportation may be available, and all qualified participants will receive a stipend at the end of each scheduled visit.
Contact us today to learn more about Synergy Research Center’s upcoming studies on schizophrenia. Though the cause may not be known for certain, schizophrenia is a treatable condition. Help is only a click or phone call away.