Two decades of progress in schizophrenia: Evolution, current insights, and future directions

Mario Alvarez-Jimenez; Celso Arango; Benedicto Crespo-Facorro; Manuel J. Cuesta; Paola Dazzan; Peter Falkai; Emilio Fernández-Egea; Michael F. Green; Oliver D. Howes; Javier Labad; Patrick D. McGorry; Peter McKenna; Robin Murray; Merete Nordentoft; Jim van Os; Michael J. Owen; Rafael Penadés; Edith Pomarol-Clotet; Iris E.C. Sommer; Til Wykes

doi:10.1016/j.sjpmh.2026.06.003

Two decades of progress in schizophrenia: Evolution, current insights, and future directions

Mario Alvarez-Jimenez
, Celso Arango
, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
, Manuel J. Cuesta
, Paola Dazzan
, Peter Falkai
, Emilio Fernández-Egea
, Michael F. Green
, Oliver D. Howes
, Javier Labad
, Patrick D. McGorry
, Peter McKenna
, Robin Murray
, Merete Nordentoft
, Jim van Os
, Michael J. Owen
, Rafael Penadés
, Edith Pomarol-Clotet
, Iris E.C. Sommer
, Til Wykes

ORYGEN Youth Health
University of Melbourne
Hospital Universitario La Paz
University of Seville
Hospital Universitario de Navarra
King's College London
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Partner Site Munich-Augsburg
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry
University of Cambridge
University of California at Los Angeles
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red
Hospital Universitari de Mataró
Sisters Hospitallers Research Foundation
University of Copenhagen
Utrecht University
Cardiff University
University of Barcelona
University of Groningen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate

Abstract

Schizophrenia research has undergone substantial conceptual and clinical evolution over the past two decades, driven by advances in neuroscience, genetics, neuroimaging, cognition, psychopathology, public health and therapeutics. Despite these developments, major questions regarding the nature, heterogeneity, trajectory, and treatment of schizophrenia remain unresolved. In this viewpoint article, the Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health (SJPMH) invited leading experts from different fields within schizophrenia research who have authored influential work and contributed significantly to the understanding and treatment of the disorder in recent years. Through concise and reflective perspectives, the contributors revisit some of the most relevant advances of the last two decades while discussing unresolved challenges and future directions. Together, these viewpoints provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving schizophrenia landscape and offer thoughtful and illuminating perspectives on the future of schizophrenia research and clinical care.

Original language	English
Journal	Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health
Early online date	24 Jun 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2026.06.003
State	E-pub ahead of print - 24 Jun 2026
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental (SEPSM).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Heterogeneity
Neurodevelopment
Precision psychiatry
Schizophrenia
Translational research
Treatment innovation

Access to Document

10.1016/j.sjpmh.2026.06.003

Cite this

Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Arango, C., Crespo-Facorro, B., Cuesta, M. J., Dazzan, P., Falkai, P., Fernández-Egea, E., Green, M. F., Howes, O. D., Labad, J., McGorry, P. D., McKenna, P., Murray, R., Nordentoft, M., van Os, J., Owen, M. J., Penadés, R., Pomarol-Clotet, E., Sommer, I. E. C., & Wykes, T. (2026). Two decades of progress in schizophrenia: Evolution, current insights, and future directions. Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2026.06.003

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Alvarez-Jimenez, M, Arango, C, Crespo-Facorro, B, Cuesta, MJ, Dazzan, P, Falkai, P, Fernández-Egea, E, Green, MF, Howes, OD, Labad, J, McGorry, PD, McKenna, P, Murray, R, Nordentoft, M, van Os, J, Owen, MJ, Penadés, R, Pomarol-Clotet, E, Sommer, IEC & Wykes, T 2026, 'Two decades of progress in schizophrenia: Evolution, current insights, and future directions', Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2026.06.003

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AU - Murray, Robin

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AU - Owen, Michael J.

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Two decades of progress in schizophrenia: Evolution, current insights, and future directions

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this