In recent years, there has been growing concerns over the alarming global prevalence of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, psychosis amongst other neurological disorders. Interestingly, while genome-wide association studies have linked these disorders to genomic and epigenetic interactions within the cellular organization; other studies have made allusions to non-biological variables like socio–demographic differences amongst individuals.
In this review, the author discusses the previous researches focused on the prevention of the diverse shades of psychosis via evaluating the myriad of prodromal signs during the adolescent phase of human development.
Table of Contents
1. Overview of Psychotic Disorder
2. Classification of Psychosis
3. Pathophysiology (and Hypothesis) of Psychotic Disorders
4. Epidemiology
5. Etiology of Psychosis
6. Diagnosis
7. Prodromal Psychosis
8. Models for investigating Psychosis Prodromes
9. Education and Psychosis Prodromes
10. Ile-Ife, Osun state: A case study
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This review aims to explore the landscape of psychosis, focusing on the identification and prevention of prodromal signs in adolescents. The research specifically examines the interaction between neurodevelopmental pathways, environmental factors, and the role of education in early intervention, with a particular focus on the Nigerian context.
- Pathophysiology and models of psychotic disorders
- Clinical characteristics and epidemiology of psychosis in adolescence
- Methods and diagnostic instruments for identifying psychosis prodromes
- The impact of education on adolescent mental health and development
- Case study analysis of Ile-Ife, Osun state regarding adolescent mental health
Excerpt from the Book
Pathophysiology (and Hypothesis) of Psychotic Disorders
Extensive research into the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders has traced the disorder to the interaction between genes and the environment (Tsuchiya et al., 2003; Bienvenu, Davydow and Kendler, 2011; Song et al., 2014).
Specifically, in the field of neuroscience, there has been appreciable work in schizophrenia research using in research methodologies in molecular genetics. One of the most notable has been the genome-wide association study (GWAS) from the Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomic consortium has provided important clues into etiological processes of the disorder. In this study, 108 (about 130 after subsequent studies) biologically plausible locations in the genome (i.e., loci) were identified, out of which 83 had not been reported previously. Several identified risk loci included genes involved in glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity, which is consistent with one of the leading pathophysiological theories of schizophrenia (Javitt, 2012).
Another important hypothesis is the ‘neurochemical hypothesis’ which postulates that psychotic disorder may be associated with hyperactivity in the dopaminergic neuronal pathway (Meltzer & Stahl, 1976). One study also reported on possible relationship between the dopamine D2 receptor gene and schizophrenia (O’Donovan, 2015).
Furthermore, epidemiological findings have suggested that schizophrenia may be as a result of the dysregulation in the immune system (Benros et al., 2012). This hypothesis is also known as the immunological hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Summary of Chapters
Overview of Psychotic Disorder: Provides a historical perspective on research into psychotic disorders and defines core clinical symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Classification of Psychosis: Outlines the categorization of psychoses based on etiology, duration (acute vs. chronic), and the presence or absence of affective symptoms.
Pathophysiology (and Hypothesis) of Psychotic Disorders: Explores genetic, neurochemical, immunological, and neurodevelopmental theories regarding the origins of psychotic disorders.
Epidemiology: Discusses global prevalence, socioeconomic factors, and the challenges of diagnosing psychotic disorders in developing versus developed countries.
Etiology of Psychosis: Integrates various disease models, including the two-hit and multiple-hit hypotheses, to explain the development of psychosis.
Diagnosis: Reviews the importance of identifying early warning signs and describes standardized diagnostic tools like the DSM and ICD.
Prodromal Psychosis: Examines the phase preceding the full-blown syndrome and characterizes common symptoms experienced during this period.
Models for investigating Psychosis Prodromes: details various instruments and scales used in research to assess individuals at high risk of developing psychosis.
Education and Psychosis Prodromes: Investigates the relationship between adolescent development, schooling, and the identification of mental health challenges, specifically in the Nigerian education system.
Ile-Ife, Osun state: A case study: Presents geographic and demographic information about the specific study area within Nigeria.
Keywords
Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Prodrome, Adolescence, Neurodevelopment, Genetics, Epidemiology, Mental Health, Early Intervention, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Nigeria, Education, Neurochemistry, Bipolar Disorder
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this work?
This work provides a comprehensive review of psychotic disorders, focusing specifically on understanding the prodromal (early) stages of the illness during adolescence and the potential for early intervention.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this text?
The core themes include the pathophysiology of psychosis, its epidemiological patterns, diagnostic methodologies, the nature of the prodromal phase, and the influence of education and social environment on adolescents.
What is the primary objective of this review?
The primary objective is to synthesize existing research on psychosis to support the identification of prodromal signs, thereby enabling earlier intervention and better outcomes for adolescents, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Which scientific methodology is primarily employed?
This document is a literature review, which synthesizes findings from a vast range of clinical studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and epidemiological data to provide a holistic overview.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body treats the neurodevelopmental and neurochemical origins of psychosis, detailed diagnostic criteria, instruments for assessing at-risk mental states, and the implications of psychosocial factors on mental health trajectories.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include psychosis, schizophrenia, adolescent mental health, prodrome, neurodevelopmental models, early intervention, and epidemiology.
How does the author explain the difference between the pre-morbid phase and the prodromal phase?
The author clarifies that the pre-morbid phase involves stable, early-life deficits, whereas the prodromal phase is characterized by a detectable, progressive deterioration in functioning from an established stable level.
Why is the case study of Ile-Ife significant in this context?
The case study is significant because it grounds the abstract concepts of prodromal identification in a specific, real-world context (South West Nigeria), acknowledging unique local factors like education and socioeconomic conditions that influence the assessment and prevention of psychosis.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Akinmayowa Adedoyin Shobo (Autor:in), 2020, Psychosis Prodrome and In-School Adolescents in Ile-Ife, Osun State, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/519905
