Schizophrenia Research: Annotated Bibliography

Bateson, G., Jackson, D., Haley, J., & Weakland, J. (1956).  theory of schizophrenia. Systems Research and Behavioral Science (p. 251–264). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article analyzes the disorder of schizophrenia as well as its nature, etiology and therapeutic possibilities. This article, having been written so long ago, describes the mental illness and one of the most puzzling. Because diagnostic capabilities of the time are fractional of the capabilities today, this article discusses the theory behind the disease. Diagnostic measures at the time used derived descriptions and necessary conditions. The article also analyzes the situation of a "double bind" in which no matter what the patient does, he or she "cannot win". It is interesting to see how schizophrenia was described before the modern medical era. It is also important to consider the social standing of patients in their respective communities at the time. Perhaps the acceptance and tolerance of surrounding people were more or less comforting for a patient with schizophrenia.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bs.3830010402

Crow, T. J. (1980). Molecular Pathology Of Schizophrenia: More Than One Disease Process?. BMJ, 280(6207), 66-68.

This article sets out to identify whether or not there is a single pathological process for the disorder of schizophrenia. It is possible that there are several processes that take place simultaneously. The belief that the primary disturbance is schizophrenia is chemical is quite possible. Dopamine-induced activation of adenylate cyclase in the corpus striatum could be a causing factor. While a blockade of the dopamine receptor could be an obvious explanation for the irregularities, some controversy exists about using drugs to extend that mechanism in providing therapy for patients. This article was written in 1980, in the midst of the "war on drugs". Pure MDMA, known on the street as "Molly" is a drug that helps the release and processing of dopamine in the brain. However, MDMA is listed as a schedule 1 narcotic under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. It is unfortunate that government relations are potentially preventing thousands of patients from relief of their condition. Currently, Piracetam can be used for schizophrenia treatment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1600263/

Davis, K., Khan, R., Ko, G., & Davidson, M. (1991). Dopamine in schizophrenia: A review and reconceptualization. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 148(11), 1474-1486.

This article analyzes the relationship between dopamine (DA) and schizophrenia (SZ). This study focuses on postmortem studies, positron emission tomography, neuroleptic drug actions, and other neurological functions and reactions. Studies on both animals and humans suggest that prefrontal DA neurons inhibit subcortical DA activity. The hypothesis of the study is based on an abnormally low prefrontal DA activity leading to persistent symptoms. Excessive DA activity in mesolimbic DA neurons can display more positive effects. The implications of possible co-occurrence of high and low DA activity in SZ are discussed. It is interesting to see how controlling the levels of dopamine in the brain could result in therapeutic relief for patients. Unfortunately, certain studies cannot be done without extensive permission and regulation.

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&UID=1992-09301-001

Kay, S., Fiszbein, A., & Opler, L. (1987). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 13(2), 261-276.

This article discusses the importance of well-characterized and standardized measuring techniques when analyzing schizophrenics. The standard measurement technique in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia. The scale is based on two established psychiatric rating systems that provide balanced representation of positive and negative symptoms. One of those symptoms correlating psychopathy to violent crime. It then gauges the relationship to one another and the global psychopathology. The PANSS analysis uses four scales measuring positive and negative symptoms. It also measures their differential and general severity of illness. All in all, the PANSS analysis is the generally adopted method in diagnosing schizophrenia, as this article confirms through various sources.

http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/13/2/261.short

Robins, E., & Guze, S. (1970). Establishment of diagnostic validity in psychiatric illness: Its application to schizophrenia. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 126(7), 983-986.

This scholarly article describes a method to achieve diagnostic validity in a potential schizophrenia patient. The study describes a study of several patients with the diagnosis. The study consists of 5 phases: clinical description, laboratory study, differential exclusion, follow up study and family studies. Each of these phases helps in the diagnosing of schizophrenia. Although this article appears to be dated, it has been updated as recently as 2012 by the APA. If the information in this article was not the forefront of the disorder, there is little reason to have it so readily available on the APA's research website.

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&UID=1970-12837-001