Cindy Wang

Decoding Schizophrenia: Understanding Key Risk Factors and Insightful Approaches to Prevention

Started May 1, 2024

Abstract or project description

Schizophrenia may result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior, and it currently affects approximately 1 in 222 people worldwide. While the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, certain people exposed to genetic factors, drug abuse, and environmental factors are more at risk. For example, chances of getting schizophrenia are higher if a close relative has received it and if you’ve been a heavy user of drugs, such as cannabis. There is no current cure for schizophrenia, but close surveillance and antipsychotic medications may act as preventive measures. Here, I will investigate how the disease manifests through causes and risk factors, as well as neurotransmitter expression. Finally, I will give future perspectives on how it may be prevented.