Schizophrenia

A concise, authoritative review of what is new and important in the understanding and management of this distressing condition. Although schizophrenia has been recognized for 100 years, our knowledge of its cause, and thus our approach to its treatment, has been limited. Today, thanks, largely to new genetic and brain imaging techniques, our understanding of the symptoms and cognitive deficits is increasing, so illuminating the underlying causes of schizophrenia. New drug and non-drug treatments are becoming available, allowing the first real advances in treatment in 30 years. Robert W Buchanan is Chief of the Outpatient Research Program at Maryland Psychiatric Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.