Final answer:
Schizophrenia has a genetic component, as evidenced by its higher prevalence in monozygotic twins of patients compared to dizygotic twins. Environmental factors also play a role, as adoptees with a high genetic risk are more likely to develop the disorder if raised in disturbed environments. Treatment involves antipsychotic medications targeting dopamine receptors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Family studies of schizophrenia reveal that schizophrenia is more evident among monozygotic twins of patients than dizygotic twins. This suggests a genetic component to the disorder, as monozygotic twins share nearly identical genetic material, whereas dizygotic twins do not. However, schizophrenia's heritability is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors, as indicated by studies such as the one by Tienari et al. which showed higher rates of schizophrenia in adoptees with high genetic risk when raised in disturbed family environments as compared to those raised in healthy environments.
Moreover, schizophrenia research indicates that the disorder is influenced by malfunctioning dopaminergic neurons and potentially by issues in glutamate signaling. Treatments generally involve antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors to address psychosis, although these medications are not cures and patients typically must remain medicated throughout their lives.