Neurobiological models of self-disorders in early schizophrenia

Abstract

Self-disorders (SDs) (from the German Ichstörungen) are alterations of the first-person perspective, long associated with schizophrenia, particularly in early phases. Although psychopathological features of SDs continue to be studied, their neurobiological underpinnings are unknown. This makes it difficult to integrate SDs into contemporary models of psychosis. The present review aims to address this issue, starting from an historical excursus revealing an interconnection between neuroscientific models and the origin of the psychopathological concept of SDs. Subsequently, the more recent neurobiological models related to SDs are discussed, particularly with respect to the onset of schizophrenia.