The purpose of this book is to examine the biological processes involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia, to define gaps in our knowledge, and to provide directions for future work. Genetic and nongenetic factors, structural and functional deviations and neurotransmitters are comprehensively reviewed by experts from fields such as clinical psychiatry, genetics, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, infectiology, immunology, experimental psychology and neurophysiology. The reader will find arguments for and against the future of genetic linkage studies versus association studies, the potential role of SPEM disturbances and information processing as markers with possible pathogenetic relevance, the retrovirus/transposon hypothesis, the rCBF hypofrontality phenomenon, as well as the significance of anatomical and functional deviations in limbic structures. Finally, recommendations for future research are offered.
