Schizophrenia: pathophysiological mechanisms--a synthesis.

Abstract

A Nobel Symposium, 'Schizophrenia: Pathophysiological Mechanisms' was held in Stockholm, October 1-3, 1998. The topics ranged from etiology, genetics, neuropathology, neurotransmitter, brain imaging, to integrative aspects including cognition and language. The collective amount of information is already enormous and will rapidly increase with advances in molecular pathology, gene transcript profiling and non-invasive imaging techniques. Probably reflecting the complexity is the absence of a disease model that can accommodate the data and explain its roots. In the process of moving from simplistic mechanisms involving single or a few interacting neurotransmitters or circuits and turning to more complex interactive models, there is a need for improved data storage and retrieval. Stochastic search in chemical libraries for potential new drug candidates coupled with rational approaches in their final design may improve therapeutic efficacy.