TITLE: “SCHIZOPHRENIA: FROM EVOLUTIONARY NOTIONS TO THE PERSPECTIVES OF INDIAN CARETAKERS”

Abstract

Delusions of Grandeur, nay a Marketing Clich Schizophrenia, is the most often superfluously used term referring to a clinically diagnosed psychiatric condition. It is as good as a nightmare from the view point of people belonging to middle strata of Indian society. A disease with polygenic inheritance and most complicated working of neuronal network; schizophrenia is one of the leading causes of socio economic burden on the families and society. In this paper a birds eye view of the disease from the evolutionary notion to a laymans opinion is given to make various stakeholders effortlessly understand the gravity and dimensions of the issues related to it. Contemporary scientific understanding on molecular mechanisms that underpin schizophrenia is discussed here along with potential drug targets. Even though this paper covers the global perspective of the disease, due emphasis is being laid on Indian context as there are special challenges associated with these communities.