Etiology
Most etiopathologic studies cluster schizoaffective disorder together with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. As such, there is no specific pathophysiology that is ascribed exclusively to this disorder.
Genetic data suggest that chromosome 1q42 (near DISC1 gene location) and the BDNF gene may be associated with schizoaffective disorder.[9][10]
Pathophysiology
Patients present with deficits of information processing, similar to those of patients with schizophrenia, and deficits of emotional regulation, similar to those of patients with bipolar disorder.[4]
Reductions in both the gray and white matter, predominantly in the frontal and temporal regions, as well as in the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri, have been reported.[4]
Various electrophysiologic abnormalities have been reported: abnormal event-related potentials (P50, N100, P300, contingent negative variation, and others), abnormal localization of sensory-evoked magnetic fields, abnormal middle-ear muscle activity, and abnormal eye movements.[4]
Neurochemical abnormalities: cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), norepinephrine, PGE1-stimulated adenylate cyclase, and platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels are similar among patients with schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia, while platelet 5-HT profiles are similar among patients with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder.[11]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer