Book excerpt: New developments in the basic and clinical neurosciences have lead to important advances in our understanding of the events that occur between conception and birth that can influence schizophrenia. At the other end of the life span, some of the most exciting developments in years have recently been coming out of post-mortem studies of patients with schizophrenia. This volume is unique in adopting a lifespan approach to understanding schizophrenia. With contributions from leading scientists in this field, and research from the frontiers of schizophrenia research, the book demonstrates the practical applications of this knowledge in developing new and effective treatments. This volume is a major new addition to the psychiatry literature.