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Research points to new therapies to lessen the severity of delusions for patients with schizophrenia

A new study suggests that volatility priors, a brain's expectations about environment unpredictability, can be modified to reduce delusion severity in schizophrenia patients. The study found that volatility priors decrease over time as delusion severity improves, making them a potential treatment target.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2026

Largest trial to date shows a psychological therapy to address the consequences of trauma is safe and effective for people with co-occurring psychosis and PTSD

The STAR study found that an integrated Trauma-Focused-CBTp was safe and highly effective for people with co-occurring diagnoses of psychosis and PTSD. Participants showed significant improvements in various outcomes, including PTSD symptom severity, psychosis symptoms, mood disorders, and emotional well-being.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 17, 2026

Mount Sinai researchers uncover a substantial genetic component to postpartum psychosis, advancing understanding of severe maternal mental illness

Mount Sinai researchers have uncovered a substantial genetic component to postpartum psychosis, a rare psychiatric illness that occurs after childbirth. The study found rare damaging mutations in the HMGCR gene and significant genetic overlap with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autoimmune diseases.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2026

Nearly 60% of college students with a psychosis diagnosis are not receiving the recommended mental health treatment

A new study found that nearly 8 in 10 college students with psychosis needed mental health support, but only 4 in 10 received the recommended combination of therapy and antipsychotic medication. This indicates potential barriers to accessing care, including stigma.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeSurvey·DateMay 20, 2026

Cannabis and tobacco co-use increases psychosis chances in high-risk cohorts: Study

A new study published in Nature Mental Health found that using cannabis and tobacco together significantly increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia among those considered high risk. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found that co-use was associated with a nearly threefold increased ...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Mental Health·DateMay 12, 2026

The boy on the balcony who never came outside

Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateMay 5, 2026

A comprehensive review charts how psychiatry could finally diagnose what it actually treats

Emerging research across conceptual frameworks, biomarker science, digital phenotyping, and artificial intelligence synthesizes a translational pathway toward a more biologically grounded and clinically useful approach to psychiatric diagnosis. The current system falls short due to standardized clinical language and lack of biological ...

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 10, 2026

Genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed, massive Swedish study reveals

A massive Swedish study of over 2 million individuals reveals that genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed. Schizophrenia shows the highest genetic specificity, while drug use disorder has a much lower specificity, scattering its genetic risk across multiple conditions.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 3, 2026

Psychosis rates increasing in more recent generations

A large study of over 12 million people in Ontario found that psychosis rates are increasing in more recent generations, with higher rates among younger individuals. The study suggests that factors such as substance use, socioeconomic stress, and negative childhood experiences may contribute to these rising trends.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2026

Schizophrenia-linked genetic variant renders key brain receptor completely unresponsive to both natural and therapeutic compounds

Researchers at Flinders University discover a genetic mutation that silences a brain receptor, rendering it unresponsive to both natural trace amines and clinical drug candidates. The C182F variant eliminates receptor signaling and reduces cell surface expression, with profound implications for emerging psychiatric treatments.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Researchers from NUS Medicine and the Institute of Mental Health detect early brain changes linked to future psychosis development

The study used advanced neuroimaging methods to identify early, network-level changes in over 3,000 individuals at varying levels of risk for psychosis. Individuals at high clinical risk exhibited early disruptions in brain network organisation despite mild clinical symptoms.

International Consortium of Women’s Mental Health Experts present scientific evidence to support classification of postpartum psychosis as a distinct disease

International Consortium of Women's Mental Health Experts recommend classifying postpartum psychosis as a distinct category within standardized medical coding systems. This classification is crucial for improving patient outcomes and saving lives, particularly due to the risks associated with the condition to both patients and infants.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 22, 2025

Neighborhood trust benefits some more than others

A new study from Karolinska Institutet and UCL found that living in a safe neighborhood with high personal trust reduces psychosis risk among Swedish or European origin residents, but increases it for North African or Middle Eastern origin individuals. The researchers emphasize the need for inclusive environments to promote mental heal...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2025

Racial discrimination may increase psychosis risk

A major review of international evidence found that racial discrimination contributes to the development of psychosis, with people experiencing discrimination being 77% more likely to develop psychotic symptoms. The study highlights the need for public health action to tackle systemic racism and its impact on mental health disparities.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 24, 2025

Largest ever study into cannabis use investigates risk of paranoia and poor mental health in the general population

Research from King's College London and University of Bath found that people who self-medicate with cannabis for physical or mental discomfort are more likely to develop paranoia and anxiety. The study also discovered a link between childhood trauma and increased paranoia scores, which is exacerbated by cannabis use.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBMJ Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2025

Women whose sister experienced postpartum psychosis are more than 10 times as likely to experience it themselves, according to new research

Research found that women whose sister experienced postpartum psychosis are over 10 times more likely to experience it themselves. The study highlights genetic and shared environmental influences and suggests early recognition and prevention are crucial.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2025

Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids’ and young adults’ access to chronic disease medicine

A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids' and young adults' access to chronic disease medication, particularly for those living in states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment. The disruptions led to increased use of private insurance or cash for prescriptions, exacerbating health issues.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2025

What links cannabis use and psychosis? Researchers point to the brain’s dopamine system

Researchers have found that people with cannabis use disorder have elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. This could explain why frequent cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions. The study's findings may help doctors educate patients about the potential risks of frequent cannabis u...

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2025

Why does one person develop schizophrenia while another does not? A leading psychiatric geneticist investigates the answer

Dr. Consuelo Walss-Bass shares her groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of considering both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. She also discusses her work with induced pluripotent stem cells to develop personalized psychiatry and reduce stigma around mental health.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateMar 25, 2025

Research spotlight: Mapping lesions that cause psychosis to a human brain circuit and proposed stimulation target

Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

Mental health concerns are a huge part of primary care practice

A study of 350 million primary care visits found that mental health concerns are a significant part of everyday care, affecting 1 in 9 patients. The prevalence of mental health issues was equal to respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, with depression, anxiety, and psychosis being common conditions.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2024

Inflammation during childhood linked to onset of mental health issues in early adulthood – study reveals

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children with persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood. The research also discovered that those who experienced inflammation at a young age were more likely to devel...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2024

Groundbreaking study shows promise for early detection and intervention in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia

Researchers have discovered a link between cognitive impairments and brain network organization in individuals at risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. This finding suggests an opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention, potentially through non-invasive neuromodulation.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 20, 2024