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The etiology of schizophrenia and the origin of language: Overview of a theory
- Source :
- Comprehensive Psychiatry, Vol 44, Iss 1, Pp 7-14 (2003)
- Publication Year :
- 2003
- Publisher :
- Elsevier, 2003.
-
Abstract
- Schizophrenia is present in all human populations with approximately the same incidence. Why does such illness persist given that it is associated with a reproductive disadvantage? What is the balancing advantage? A possible explanation is linked to human language. According to this hypothesis schizophrenia occurs as a manifestation of genetic diversity associated with language--the function by which Homo sapiens has separated from other primate species. Language originated by a genetic mutation that allowed the cerebral hemispheres to develop with a degree of specialization (or lateralization) reflected in cerebral asymmetries. Individuals with schizophrenia show lesser structural and functional brain asymmetries than the population as a whole, and this finding can be interpreted as a delay, or failure in, establishing hemispheric dominance for language. We review recent evidence supporting this theory.
- Subjects :
- Psychosis
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21
lcsh:RC435-571
Population
Genetic determinism
Lateralization of brain function
Functional Laterality
Developmental psychology
lcsh:Psychiatry
medicine
Humans
Point Mutation
education
Language
education.field_of_study
Chromosomes, Human, X
Natural selection
Incidence
Brain
medicine.disease
Psychiatry and Mental health
Clinical Psychology
Homo sapiens
Laterality
Schizophrenia
Psychology
Psychological Theory
Cognitive psychology
Origin of language
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Comprehensive Psychiatry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0fd6f2d30ed70f17930245e119bf6c00