Main description:

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are known to be highly heritable. Despite decades of research, however, the genetic variations conferring susceptibility to these illnesses have yet to be identified. Such genetic variations most likely produce abnormalities of brain structure and function from which the clinical features of psychosis emerge.

The Maudsley Family Study of Psychosis investigates the genetically produced markers of abnormal brain structure and function ('intermediate phenotypes') which underlie the clinical syndrome of schizophrenia, and more recently bipolar disorder. In this book, key findings of this important research program, and their implications for this field, are discussed in detail. Contributors outline research examining brain structure and functioning in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected first degree relatives, incorporating detailed clinical assessments, magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiology, eye tracking measures and neuropsychology.

This book provides an improved understanding of illness pathways and potential scope for intervention in order to better manage and prevent psychotic disorders and will be of interest to academics and clinicians in the field.

Contents:

McDonald, Murray, Exploring Intermediate Phenotypes of Psychosis. McDonald, The Maudsley Family Study of Psychosis - Overview of Clinical Methodology and Characteristics. Williams, Frangou, Bramon, Auditory Evoked Potentials as Genetic Trait Markers of Schizophrenia. MacCabe, Zanelli, Are Eye Movement Abnormalities Related to Susceptibility Genes for Schizophrenia? Toulopoulou, Filbey, Kravariti, Neuropsychological Impairments in Patients With Schizophrenia and their Unaffected Relatives. Dazzan, Griffiths, Neurological Abnormalities in Patients With Schizophrenia From Singly and Multiply Affected Families and their Relatives. McDonald, Structural Brain Deviations in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder - to What Extent Are They Genetically Mediated? McDonald, Summary and Implications.