Schizophrenia is a group of psychiatric disorders with different etiologies, different clinical presentations, and different regressions, yet with some commonalities. Because of this significant heterogeneity, it is hoped that research will identify ways to increase diagnostic validity, improve treatment outcomes, and improve prediction of outcome. Although numerous genetic studies have not identified a causative gene for schizophrenia, researchers recognize that schizophrenia is a polygenic genetic disorder and that it is not the disorder itself that is inherited, but rather the quality of susceptibility to the disorder. This susceptibility quality leads to the development of schizophrenia through a combination of external environmental factors. There are several hypotheses about the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, from the earliest dopamine hypothesis to the 5-hydroxytryptamine hypothesis and the glutamine hypothesis, all of which have had a following and have been studied tirelessly. The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia has been influential since the 1980s and continues to be influential today. This hypothesis is supported by a number of findings including obstetric and perinatal comorbidities, structural abnormal findings on in vivo brain imaging, autopsy studies, abnormalities in synaptic labeling, effects of adverse intrauterine environment, absence of neurogliosis, and congenital anomalies. The neuroimaging, especially functional neuroimaging techniques and neuropsychological assessment methods employed in the establishment of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis convincingly demonstrate the existence of deficits in brain structure, physiological function, and corresponding psychological function in schizophrenic patients, further suggesting that schizophrenia should be considered as a disease of the human brain rather than a simple functional disorder. At the same time, these imaging and neuropsychological examination tools offer hope for the early diagnosis of schizophrenia and even the screening of high-risk groups. Future efforts should be devoted to finding objective bases that can contribute to the diagnosis and clinical staging of schizophrenia. The psychopathology of schizophrenia is based on an objective description of the patient’s internal experiences and behavioral manifestations. From Bleuler’s “four A’s” and Schneider’s “level 1 symptoms” to the more popular positive, negative, disintegrative and cognitive symptom clusters, it reflects the increasing understanding of the psychopathology of schizophrenia. The development of new drugs is not only aimed at The development of new drugs aims not only to improve overall efficacy, but also to specifically target a certain group of symptoms. Low adverse effects and high safety are common requirements, and long-acting or more convenient dosage forms should also be considered in drug development. Pharmacogenetic studies can help to develop individualized dosing regimens. Psychological and social rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients is receiving increasing attention. The effectiveness of psychological and prognostic tools (also including health education for patients’ families) needs further evaluation. The use of new technologies and better identification of prodromal symptoms may help us to identify “potential” patients in high-risk groups (e.g., relatives of schizophrenic patients), and the use of psychological and pharmacological interventions requires not only medical evidence, but also ethical discussion. Some specific groups of schizophrenic patients, such as childhood schizophrenia and geriatric schizophrenia, need more research to better understand their pathological mechanisms and manage their management. Mental health services for schizophrenia, their resource allocation, and system management need to be further understood to find a better and adapted model to the Chinese context.