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Brain imaging studies show attention to thinking in schizophrenia improves outlook for patients
March 16, 1999A focus on schizophrenia as 'a disorder of thinking' promises much for patients with the condition, according to Dr Tonmoy Sharma, Head of the Section of Cognitive Psychopharmacology (SCP) at the Institute of Psychiatry. In a presentation to journalists during Brain Awareness Week, Dr Sharma outlined new research showing the importance of cognitive problems in schizophrenia.
'We now recognise that problems in cognition - reduced attention span, problems with memory and difficulties in reasoning and problem solving - are core features of schizophrenia. Routine activities that we take for granted can be very difficult; even planning a simple shopping trip can be complex and demanding if our ability to make decisions is reduced.
'Improving cognition transforms a patient's ability to work and socialise. We want to find the best ways to achieve this transformation in people with schizophrenia.'
In SCP, neuroimaging research has revealed differences in the function of the brains of people with schizophrenia compared with those without the illness. A new way of imaging the brain's activity - functional magnetic resonance imaging - was used to compare the activity of certain brain regions during cognitive tasks.
Ongoing research in SCP is also employing functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the effects of some antipsychotic drugs, which have been shown to improve cognition in schizophrenia. By imaging the brains of patients who are taking these drugs, researchers are hoping to find out more about how cognitive abilities increase with medication. Dr Sharma believes that improving cognition is an important therapeutic goal in schizophrenia.
Institute of Psychiatry
In SCP, neuroimaging research has revealed differences in the function of the brains of people with schizophrenia compared with those without the illness. A new way of imaging the brain's activity - functional magnetic resonance imaging - was used to compare the activity of certain brain regions during cognitive tasks.
Ongoing research in SCP is also employing functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the effects of some antipsychotic drugs, which have been shown to improve cognition in schizophrenia. By imaging the brains of patients who are taking these drugs, researchers are hoping to find out more about how cognitive abilities increase with medication. Dr Sharma believes that improving cognition is an important therapeutic goal in schizophrenia.
Institute of Psychiatry
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Why can't chimps speak?
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Developmental delay could stem from nicotinic receptor deletion
The loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and behavior, said a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in a report that appears online today in the journal Nature Genetics.
Fighting Sleep, Penn Researchers Reverse the Cognitive Impairment Caused By Sleep Deprivation
A research collaboration led by biologists and neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania has found a molecular pathway in the brain that is the cause of cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation.
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CSHL-led team discovers rare mutation dramatically increasing schizophrenia risk
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Faulty 'wiring' in the brain triggers onset of schizophrenia
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Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Patients, and Providers by E. Fuller Torrey (Author) Since its first publication in 1983, Surviving Schizophrenia has become the standard reference book on the disease and has helped thousands of patients, their families and mental health professionals. In clear language, this much–praised and important book describes the nature, causes, symptoms, treatment and course of schizophrenia and also explores living with it from both the patient and the family's point of view. This new, completely updated fifth edition includes the latest research findings on what causes the disease as well as information about the newest drugs for treatment and answers to the questions most often asked by families, consumers and providers. |
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Schizophrenia Revealed: From Neurons to Social Interactions by Michael Foster Green (Author) A modern view of schizophrenia based on neuroscience that goes far beyond the symptoms of the illness. "Green has lifted the bar in this realm of explanatory neuroscience-based psychiatry. If you wish to read an enjoyable and instructive primer on what we know about schizophrenia at the beginning of the 21st century, you could do no better than to choose Schizophrenia Revealed." —New England Journal of Medicine |
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The Quiet Room: A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness by Lori Schiller (Author), Amanda Bennett (Author) Schiller's gripping, heart-rending and ultimately triumphant story of her journey into madness and back to reality is told through the voices of Lori and her family, friends and doctor, and captures a rare, astoundingly vivid view into the inner life of a schizophrenic. "A stunning story of courage, persistence, and hope."--Publishers Weekly. |
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The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia: Helping Your Loved One Get the Most Out of Life by Kim T. Mueser PhD (Author), Susan Gingerich MSW (Author) Will the person you love ever get better? Chances are you've grappled with the question. With care and support from their families, people with schizophrenia can and do make vast improvements. Noted therapists Kim Mueser and Susan Gingerich deepen your understanding of the illness and cover a wide range of effective treatments. Based on decades of research and experience, they offer pragmatic suggestions for dealing with depression, psychosis, and other symptoms. They show you how to prioritize needs, resolve everyday problems, and encourage your loved one to set life goals. Plus, individual sections highlight special issues for parents, children, siblings, and partners. Whether you’re facing schizophrenia for the first time or you’ve dealt with its impact for years, you’ll discover... |
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ABC News 20/20 Schizophrenia It's all in their minds: visions, voices, taunting, never ending, driving them crazy or worse. It's hard to imagine, but now, an amazing device lets you feel their pain. The technology lets you go inside the mind of a schizophrenic. See what they see. Hear what they hear. Using the technique of virtual reality, Janssen Pharmaceuticals has developed a device to stimulate the visual and auditory hallucinations of a schizophrenic patient. Dr. Timothy Johnson explores the world of people struggling with the voices within. This "20/20" show contains the following additional stories: Victim's Comp Windsheilds |
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Schizophrenia For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) by Jerome Levine (Author), Irene S. Levine (Author) Practical tools for leading a happy, productive life Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that afflicts one percent of the population, an estimated 2.5 million people in America alone. The firsthand advice in this reassuring guide will empower the families and caregivers of schizophrenia patients to take charge, offering expert advice on identifying the warning signs, choosing the right health professional, understanding currently available drugs and those on the horizon (as well as their side effects), and evaluating traditional and alternative therapies. |
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Getting Your Life Back Together When You Have Schizophrenia by Roberta Temes (Author) |
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Recovered, Not Cured: A Journey Through Schizophrenia by Richard McLean (Author) This very personal exploration of schizophrenia explores each stage, from the early signs and reactions from friends and family to seeking help and the challenges of recovery. McLean bravely shares his paranoid delusions and offers both a verbal and a visual experience by including digital artwork he created to help objectify and control his impulses and fears. As McLean relates his experiences step by step, issues of sexuality, identity, and drug abuse are discussed, along with the overarching issues relating to mental health and the medical profession. Messages from online posters who either have suffered from mental illness or have cared for the mentally ill are included throughout, adding more perspectives to the author's personal experiences. This powerful combination of words and... |
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Understanding Mental Illness and Schizophrenia Part of the award winning public television series Healthy Body/Healthy Mind. Mental Illnesses are complex diseases of the brain affecting thoughts, moods, and coping ability. There are many diseases you can see, feel and understand, but there are others that aren't as easy to comprehend. Education and compassion are key. Untreated mental illness costs Americans more than 100 billion dollars each year. Fear of Mental Illness and the lack of understanding prevent millions of people from seeking much needed treatment. Meet some of these people in this program. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
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