[Research has changed our view about psychoses]

Abstract

Psychoses are associated with problems in the development and maturation of the central nervous system and disturbances of brain connectivity. In all likelihood, their etiology is heterogenous. The susceptibility to and onset of psychosis result from the combined effect of the genome, biological and social risk factors of the early environment and the negative social experiences in childhood and adolescence. Among the neurobiological factors of psychoses, the best characterized is sensitization of the dopamine system in patients affected with schizophrenia, leading to misinterpretation of external stimuli. Psychoses are also associated with alterations in the immune system and metabolism the significance of which in the etiology of the disease is under vigorous research.