• Major cost to society
• Onset in late teens, early 20s frequently results in lifelong disability
• Progressive cognitive decline limits employment and social prospects of many sufferers
• Current treatments have serious side effects
• Four leading drugs (Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa and Abilify) together are estimated to generate sales in excess of $10 billion p.a. in the US alone

What causes schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia affects around 1% of the general population, regardless of ethnic, socioeconomic or educational status, and begins to manifest its symptoms in the early adulthood (earlier in men than women). The US National Institute of Mental Health has estimated that schizophrenia affects at least 1.5 million people in the US. Schizophrenia remains a difficult condition to treat and all drugs currently used in the management of the condition have significant side effects.

Schizophrenia is a common psychiatric illness – there are roughly twice as many sufferers as those with Alzheimer’s Disease. The incidence rises 10 fold if a first degree relative (immediate family) has the disorder. But genetics alone do not explain the development of the disease – the environment is also thought to play a role, particularly factors such as substance abuse.