The outlook for patients with schizophrenia has improved over the past 30 years because much knowledge has been gained in genetics, neuroscience and other related areas of science. Because of the variety of circumstances that may result in the disease developing, the underlying processes and the terms used to describe schizophrenia may evolve as research continues.

In addition, schizophrenia continues to be a major focus of research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Research initiatives being undertaken at NIMH include:

• Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program. Uses animal models, molecular genetics, cell culture, postmortem studies and brain imaging techniques to investigate how genes can cause changes in the thought processes and influence the development of psychosis.
  
  
• NIMH Genetic Study of Schizophrenia. Gathers genetic and environmental information from families with at least one member that has schizophrenia in an effort to determine what places family members at a higher or lower risk of developing the disorder.
  
  
• NIMH Human Genetics Initiative and Genomic Resources Program. Collects data about families that have a history of mental illness in an attempt to learn more about the interaction between genetics and the environment, brain systems, neural circuits and other factors associated with mental illness.
  
  
• Silvio O. Conte Centers for the Neuroscience of Mental Disorders. Supports six research teams dedicated to translating and integrating basic and clinical neuroscience on schizophrenia.
  
  
• North American Prodromal Longitudinal Study. Follows teenagers at risk for developing schizophrenia. Some scientists believe that the development of schizophrenia can be slowed with early intervention.
  
  
• Schizophrenia Research Forum. Web site developed by a group of science writers and web designers in collaboration with the Mental Health Research Association and the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). The site will include new publications, a database of citations, research tools and live chats for scientists.