Schizophrenia: Research in the Nordic Countries

A brief description is given of the diagnostic concepts used in Nordic psychiatry, followed by a review of schizophrenia research over the last 40 years. The author has focused attention on research on heredity/environment, and investigations concerning prognosis and outcome, since it was felt that most of the significant research has been done in those areas. Newer twin studies as well as family studies have probably led to a less fatalistic view of schizophrenia. Catamnestic studies support Anglo-American investigations which show a variable course of schizophrenia. As in other countries, studies reveal that the outcome of schizophrenia has improved considerably in the Nordic countries.