Towards diagnostic markers for the psychoses

Stephen M. Lawrie*, Michael C. O'Donovan, Elyn Saks, Tom Burns, Jeffrey A. Lieberman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Psychotic disorders are currently grouped under broad phenomenological diagnostic rubrics. Researchers hope that progress in identifying aetiological mechanisms will ultimately enable more precise division of heterogeneous diagnoses into specific and valid subgroups. This goal has been an aim of psychiatry since the 19th century, when patients with general paresis were thought to have "insanity" similar to dementia praecox and manic depressive illness. Nowadays, the constructs of organic-induced and substance-induced psychotic disorder show that our diagnostic classification system already reflects, in part, aetiological factors. Most recently, gene copy number variation and autoimmunity have been associated with schizophrenia. We suggest how, on the basis of recent scientific advances, we can progress the identification of further putative subgroups and make the most of currently available interventions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, and a more routine search for causes, could preserve function and improve outcome, and therefore be more acceptable to patients and carers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375-385
Number of pages11
JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry
Volume3
Issue number4
Early online date1 Apr 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Towards diagnostic markers for the psychoses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this