Genetic and Immunological Factors in Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia

Abstract

Publisher Summary Schizophrenia is considered as a group of disorders and is classified into paranoid, catatonic, simple and hebephrenic subtypes, which are still considered in some actual diagnostic criteria as research diagnostic criteria (RDC) and DSM III. The chapter presents two syndromes of schizophrenia: the type I syndrome characterized by positive symptoms, probably associated with a change in dopaminergic transmission and the type II syndrome characterized by negative symptoms and perhaps associated with structural changes in the brain. Many models have been suggested for the transmission of schizophrenia. Psychiatric disorders that do not satisfy criteria for schizophrenia can be found in relatives of schizophrenic patients. It has considered these “spectrum” conditions (pseudoneurotic schizophrenia, borderline, ambulatory schizophrenia, questionable simple schizophrenia, “psychotic character,” severe schizoid individual) as milder forms of schizophrenia. Different studies have shown associations between depression and morbidity risks of illnesses where immunological impairment is reported. For example, immunological abnormalities associated with herpes simplex virus infection are found in depressed patients.