subject: What are the Possible Causes of Schizophrenia [print this page] For the longest time, man has tried to decipher the human brain and its ailments, but due to its complex structure and operation, he has never been able to succeed completely in the task. Likewise is the case of Schizophrenia. With hundreds of years spend studying the disorder, it has also helped us to understand and treat it to a certain extent but has not helped us to construe all its causes. Several years of research and study have revealed some of the many causes of Schizophrenia.Genetic and Environmental aspectsGenetic factors play an important role in the occurrence of Schizophrenia. Studies have proven that a person with family history of Schizophrenia is more likely to develop the mental disorder himself. Statistics in terms of propensity to develop Schizophrenia show that people with family history of Schizophrenia is rated 10% where as people without family history of Schizophrenia is rated at 1%.Nevertheless, genetic factor is one of the influencing factor and not the most decisive one. To support this statement, 60% of Schizophrenia patients were found to have no family history of the disorder. Looking into the environmental aspect of the causes responsible for Schizophrenia, scientists have indicated that an elevated level of stress is accountable for triggering Schizophrenia, as increased stress not only causes several biochemical changes in the body but also increases the level of cortisol hormone.Complications and insufficient care during pregnancy and deliveryChildren born after complications in delivery are more likely to have Schizophrenia. If there are complications during delivery, this can lead to hypoxia in the neonatal brain resulting in higher possibility of the child getting Schizophrenia when he grows up. This finding was supported by animal model, epidemiological, molecular and genetic studies. Proper care during pregnancy to avoid stress and keep a good diet is an important factor.Studies have shown that mothers who starve or are having malnutrition are likely to give birth to a child suffering from Schizophrenia. During a study conducted in Finland during the winter war in 1939, it was discovered that pregnant women who give birth knowing that their husbands were dead had a higher chance of delivering a child susceptible to Schizophrenia, when compare against women who discovered their husbands death after delivery.During pregnancy, mothers who develop viral infections such as maternal genital infection are more likely to have a child who has a higher change to get Schizophrenia.Neurological aspectsSeveral structural and functional changes in the brain can cause Schizophrenia. The frontal lobe, part of the brain that helps human to make decision is malfunction. Studies have demonstrated that Schizophrenic patients have large ventricles, which indicates a discrepancy in the neurons.There are still several molecular, epidemiological, genetic and animal studies going on in several laboratories and research centers to further decipher the causes behind the mental disorder like Schizophrenia. As world of medical science becomes more advance, we can gain more ground to understand this disorder and develop better treatment methods.
