Sound Neuroscience: An Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal

Abstract

Introduction Throughout history there have always been those who could see and hear things that other people couldn't, those called demented and crazy, those who are vernacularly described today as schizophrenic. However, the diagnosis and definition of schizophrenia has changed significantly through the years because of its numerous manifestations and modern technology and research. There is much dispute as to how to describe the disease and as to what characteristics remain constant amongst those affected. In these times of modern genetics and neurobiology the definition becomes no easier because of the great multitude of internal glitches that could be possible contributors to schizophrenia's development. The objective of this paper is to explain the diagnostic origins of and to illuminate what is commonly referred to as schizophrenia and to imagine what the future of 'schizophrenia' may reveal.