That is the title of a paper published today with co-authors Arundati Nagendra (from the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance), Raquelle Mesholam-Gately and Matcheri Keshavan (both at the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School). The abstract is here:
Background
Schizophrenia is traditionally classified as a serious mental illness (SMI), emphasizing chronicity and disability. However, growing evidence supports that it also shows features of a neurodevelopmental syndrome, highlighting disruptions in early brain development and a diverse spectrum of trajectories.
Objective
This paper proposes expanding the conceptualization of schizophrenia as both an SMI and a neurodevelopmental syndrome.
Methods
We review biological, clinical, and epidemiological evidence supporting a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. We then propose a three-pronged strategy to operationalize this reframing: (i) reclassification in the ICD-11 and DSM-5 as a neurodevelopmental syndrome; (ii) renaming to reflect established and evolving scientific evidence; and (iii) reshaping societal narratives so schizophrenia is understood as a developmental condition that remains modifiable.
Results
A neurodevelopmental framing may advance access, quality, and equity in schizophrenia care.
Conclusion
Reframing schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental syndrome reflects modern science and, based on precedent from other countries, could catalyze systemic changes to improve care, access, and equity.
You can read the full paper here.
