Exploring the roots of schizophrenia: Current research and future directions (Review)

Abstract

Mental health holds critical global significance. However, mental illness remains insufficiently acknowledged worldwide. The prevalence and economic impact of mental disorders continue to rise, contributing notably to increased disability rates. Schizophrenia, with a global lifetime prevalence of ~0.4%, is a leading cause of disability. Currently, revealing the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia, exploring early objective diagnosis and individualized treatment prediction indicators, and developing more effective treatment technologies are still hotspots in research. Several studies highlight schizophrenia as a severe, multifactorial disorder that directly disrupts brain function and profoundly impacts daily life. This review provides an overview of recent advances in schizophrenia research, summarising current research on the mechanisms of its pathogenesis; both genetic and environmental factors exert a significant influence on schizophrenia. Furthermore, investigations into animal models for schizophrenia research aim to establish more precise models, which will facilitate further exploration of the disease's pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches.