Late onset schizophrenia: A review [Geç başlangiçli şizofreni: Bir gözden geçirme]

A consensus was reached by International Late Onset Schizophrenia Group that cases in which onset occurs between 40 and 60 be called late onset schizophrenia and that cases in which onset occurs after age 60 should be called very late onset schizophrenia like psychosis. Inconsistencies in diagnostic systems and nomenclature, coupled with a tendency among most schizophrenia researchers to ascribe late onset psychoses to organic factors, have led to such cases occupying an ambiquous position in relation to schizophrenia. In terms of epidemiology, symptom profile and identified pathophysiologies, the diagnoses of late onset schizophrenia have face validity and clinical utility. General adoption of these categories will foster systematic investigation of such patients. Both developmental and degenerative processes that affect specific brain circuitry have been implicated and intensive study of late onset patients may ultimately shed light on etiology. The purpose of this nomenclature is to clarify the position of these patients and to stimulate more research.