Background.- The revision of the current psychiatric classification systems (DSM-IV and chapter F of ICD-10) needs to take the current scientific state of the art into account.

Aims.- The major questions to be answered in this review are, i), which advances in psychiatry appear solid enough to be considered for a reclassification of schizophrenias and related disorders, and, ii), how may such findings be incorporated in the reclassification process.

Methods.- Unsystematic literature review of the last four years.

Results.- Although much progress has been made in elucidating neurogenetic risk factors, structural and functional changes of brain networks, and the impact of psychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders, none of these fields has yet advanced far enough to yield etiologicallybased evidence of use for reclassifying psychotic disorders. However, some conceptual changes or amendments regarding the introduction of dimensional characteristics and better defined course specifiers may be warranted in the light of significant clinical and genetic overlap between the psychotic disorders.

Conclusions.- More research in the before mentioned areas is needed before etiologically-driven reclassifications of psychotic disorders may be possible. In the light of findings of overlap between the various psychotic disorders and – to some extent – healthy control persons, dimensional assessments may be warranted in DSM-5 and ICD-11.