The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one percent of the total population receives a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Paranoid schizophrenia is one of the five types of schizophrenia with characteristics specific to paranoid delusions and hallucinations. The exact cause of paranoid schizophrenia remains unknown but scientific evidence suggests that genetics, chemical imbalance in the body and damaged brain regions may be factors that contribute to the development of the disorder.
Dopamine Hypothesis
The Mayo Clinic indicates that problems with naturally occurring neurotransmitters may contribute to paranoid schizophrenia. Dopamine remains the specific neurotransmitter of focus. According to a 2005 study by the Public National Academy of Science, the dopamine pathway proves a potential conductor for the psychotic symptoms found in paranoid schizophrenia. Listed as one of the primary neurotransmitters responsible for thoughts, movement, pleasure and mood, an excess of dopamine may also result in the presence of hallucinations, delusions and paranoia found in this disorder.
Genetics
According to a 2008 study in Biological Psychiatry, a new genetic link to schizophrenia may exist. The gene is called the multiple epidermal growth factor 10 or MEGF10, and according to this study, researchers may have found a variation of this gene that has a hereditary link for schizophrenia. Ongoing research reported by the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Mental Health also indicates that years of evidence exists that supports a genetic connection of first-degree relatives leading to an increased risk for developing paranoid schizophrenia. Based on these studies however, paranoid schizophrenia most likely results in part from genetics and in part from environmental influence.
Environmental Causes
Environment refers to the external factors that contribute to development of this disorder. Factors include physical abuse, neglect of basic needs and nutrition and exposure to viruses. The basis for the theory of environmental cause results from the thought that the chemicals in the brain become altered as a biological response to environmental stress. Evidence of this has been explored through research of twins. PlosMedicine.org explains the relevance of the prenatal environment for siblings that develop this disorder; however, environment alone is not considered the lone cause for development of paranoid schizophrenia.
Brain Structure Abnormality
Abnormalities in the structure of the brain may contribute to the development of paranoid schizophrenia. According to Advancing Science Serving Society the brain scans of people diagnosed with schizophrenia show enlarged brain ventricles as well as increased activity in areas of the brain such as the hippocampus. Damage to these areas has links to the delusions often present in paranoid schizophrenia. Helpguide.org indicates that damage to the temporal and frontal lobe regions of the brain may also contribute to symptoms of the disorder.
References
- Serendip Bryn Mawr College: Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia
- Elsevier:Biological Psychiatry: New Genetic Association with Schizophrenia Found by Researchers
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Schizophrenia
- Mayo Clinic: Paranoid Schizophrenia
- Public National Academy of Sciences: Dopamine Supersensitivity correlates with D2 high States, Implying Many Paths to Psychosis
