Childhood-onset schizophrenia: timely neurobiological research.

OBJECTIVE

To review timely research on childhood-onset schizophrenia in view of advances in biological research on, and neurodevelopmental theories of, the later-onset disorder.

METHOD

Research issues are outlined including further clarification of ICD- and DSM-defined childhood schizophrenia, and differentiation from autism "spectrum" and other subtle, chronic developmental disorders. Key neurobiological advances are reviewed for which child studies are relevant and feasible.

CONCLUSION

It is anticipated that narrowly defined childhood-onset schizophrenics will constitute a predominantly male population. A high rate of family illness or chromosomal and/or brain developmental abnormalities, which will be instructive regarding the pathophysiology of later-onset schizophrenia, is expected.