Arya Khirwadkar

Factors Impacting The Development Of Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder: A Literature Review

Started Dec. 7, 2022

Abstract or project description

Psychiatric disorders are incredibly complicated. Not only are they difficult to research and treat, but their source is a complex puzzle that has been a topic of discussion for decades. Variation in specific genes is one of the few factors that has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For example, genes involved in neuronal signaling are critical for normal brain function. A neurotypical brain requires calcium channels to function well as they impact parts of the brain that control emotions, thinking, attention and memory. Without properly-working calcium channels, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be expressed more intensely, impacting the aforementioned brain functions, all which align with the expressions of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Past research has shown the striking impacts of mutated calcium channels and their correlation with psychiatric disorders, also proving that certain disorders have similar underlying genetic factors. Thus, genetic variation in calcium channel proteins has been linked to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, amplifying their effects. Another genetic factor that has been found to impact said disorders is certain mutations at specific loci on some chromosomes. Additionally, it is imperative to note that genetic factors are not the only contributors to the development of these disorders; environmental factors play an important role as well. Without external, non-genetic factors, psychiatric disorders would not have the same impact that they do on patients. This review will discuss the factors that contribute to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with an emphasis on calcium channel proteins.