Case report

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL VERSUS NEURODEGENERATIVE MODEL OF SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR DISORDER: COMPARISON WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND AGING

Massimiliano Buoli ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Marta Serati ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Alice Caldiroli ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Laura Cremaschi ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Alfredo Carlo Altamura ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

Abstract

Available data support a contribution of both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative factors in the etiology of schizophrenia
(SCH) and bipolar disorder (BD). Of note, one of the most important issue of the current psychiatric research is to identify the
specific factors that contribute to impaired brain development and neurodegeneration in SCH and BD, and especially how these
factors alter normal brain development and physiological aging process. Our hypothesis is that only specific damages,
taking place in precise brain development stages, are associated with future SCH /BD onset and that neurodegeneration
consists of an acceleration of brain aging after SCH /BD onset. In support of our hypothesis, the results of the present
narrative mini-review shows as neurodevelopmental damages generally contribute to neuropsychiatric syndromes (e.g.
hypothyroidism or treponema pallidum), but only some of them are specifically associated with adult SCH and BD (e.g.
toxoplasma or substance abuse), particularly if they happen in specific stages of brain development. On the other hand,
cognitive impairment and brain changes, associated with long duration of SCH /BD, look like what happens during
aging: memory, executive domains and prefrontal cortex are implicated both in aging and in SCH /BD progression.
Future research will explore possible validity of this etiological model for SCH and BD.

Keywords

schizophrenia (SCH); bipolar disorder (BD); neurodevelopment; neurodegeneration; aging

Hrčak ID:

178593

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/178593

Publication date:

20.3.2017.

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