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The biological basis of schizotypal personality disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Richelle M Kirrane  and
Larry J Siever
Richelle M Kirrane
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Carew House, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
Larry J Siever
Affiliation:
Bronx, VA Medical Centre, 136 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx NY 10468, United States
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Abstract

Schizotypal personality disorder is the DSM equivalent of the ICD category schizotypal disorder. It may be seen as part of the schizophrenia spectrum of disorders. Patients with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) share many features with schizophrenic patients. These include symptoms of social isolation and cognitive impairment. They also share imaging and biochemical evidence of brain dysfunction, and genetic similarities. SPD patients, however, for some reason do not become chronically psychotic. The study of schizotypal patients is of great importance in attempting to clarify the genetic and biological basis of the schizophrenia spectrum. It is also important in helping to delineate the differences between schizophrenic and schizotypal patients, and to distinguish those factors that protect the schizotypal patient from becoming floridly psychotic. In this article we present recent findings regarding the biological basis of schizotypal personality disorder. We illustrate the contribution of these findings to our understanding of risk and protective factors in the schizophrenia spectrum.

Keywords

Schizotypal personality disorderSchizophreniaCognitive impairment.
Type
Perspective
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 17 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 106 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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