Articles tagged with Psychosis
A study published in International Journal of Drug Policy found a significant increase in cannabis psychosis hospital admissions following cannabis reclassification in 2009. The study challenges the government's claim that stronger forms of cannabis cause mental health problems.
A new review published in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist recommends that all women be asked about postpartum psychosis risk factors before conception to ensure early recognition and prompt treatment. Women with bipolar disorder are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis, with a 1 in 4 chance.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have found that high doses of famotidine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and affect the histamine system in the brain. After four weeks of treatment, symptoms of schizophrenia decreased statistically significantly in patients who received famotidine.
Researchers from the University of Manchester found that early access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduced the risk of developing a full-blown psychotic illness. CBT was shown to reduce the risk by more than half at six, 12, and 18-24 months after treatment started.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a gene variant associated with higher production of kynurenic acid, which may explain psychotic features in bipolar disorder. The study suggests that inflammation and stress trigger the production of KYNA, leading to increased levels in patients' brains.
Research at Tel Aviv University finds that Parkinson's patients taking dopamine-enhancing medications are developing artistic talents, including painting, sculpting, and writing. The study suggests a link between dopamine levels and creativity, with some patients exhibiting increased impulsivity and lower inhibitions.
Individuals with epilepsy have a higher risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as an increased likelihood of developing psychosis. A Finnish study found that families with a history of epilepsy were more likely to experience both conditions.
Researchers in British Journal of Ophthalmology reveal that self-inflicted blinding is a rare complication of severe psychosis, such as schizophrenia. The phenomenon has been mistakenly attributed to sexual guilt and the Oedipus complex, but cultural beliefs are not a plausible explanation for this behavior.
Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that can analyze brain scans to predict the severity of future psychotic episodes. The study found that the algorithm was able to differentiate between patients who would develop continuous psychosis and those with more benign forms in seven out of ten cases.
A meta-analysis of 83 studies suggests that cannabis users develop psychosis about 2.7 years younger than non-users. The study supports the view that cannabis precipitates schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, potentially through genetic and environmental interactions or disrupting brain development.
A new meta-analysis of over 20,000 patients shows that cannabis use is associated with an earlier onset of psychotic illness by up to 2.7 years, with possible life-long consequences for brain development and mental health outcomes.
This special issue of Biological Psychiatry highlights the benefits and challenges of postmortem research in studying psychosis, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Advances in science and technology have expanded the scope of postmortem work, allowing for more detailed studies of brain structure and function.
A study of 203,829 individuals in Sweden found that urban living is associated with a higher incidence of schizophrenia and other nonaffective psychoses. Social fragmentation and deprivation were key factors explaining the association.
Research highlights the importance of gene-environment interactions in understanding psychosis development. Environmental factors such as urbanicity, migration, and cannabis use have been shown to increase risk, while genetic vulnerability plays a role in making individuals more susceptible.
A study of 3,801 young adults found that those who used cannabis for six or more years were twice as likely to develop non-affective psychosis. The longer duration since first cannabis use was associated with higher risk of psychosis-related outcomes.
A 12-week fish oil capsule course reduced psychotic disorder progression by 22.6% in high-risk individuals, with improved symptoms and functioning compared to placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids may offer a safe prevention strategy for young people at risk of psychosis.
A new UK study found that heavy cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of developing schizophrenia in young people. To prevent one case of schizophrenia, it would be necessary to stop around 2,800 male and 5,000 female heavy users, or over 10,000 and 30,000 light users, respectively.
A study by psychiatrist Szabolcs Kéri found a clear link between neuregulin 1 gene variant and increased creativity. Volunteers with the specific variant scored higher on creativity assessments and reported greater lifetime creative achievements.
Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous syndrome with substantial variation in symptomatology and life history. A paradigm shift in research focuses on identifying critical domains of pathology, such as positive and negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, and impaired cognition. This shift aims to improve treatment efficacy by targeting spec...
Researchers have found similarities between brain activity during lucid dreaming and psychosis, suggesting dream therapy could be useful in treating psychiatric conditions. Dissociation, a state of losing conscious control, is common in both lucid dreaming and certain psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Nichols' approach combines discovery studies with functional and behavioral studies in two models to determine how mental disorders like psychosis and schizophrenia develop. He aims to identify abnormally functioning genes and proteins that may represent novel therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders.
RISPERDAL CONSTA has been approved as both monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. The medication offers a convenient and effective choice to delay relapse, with studies demonstrating significant delays in mood episode recurrence.
A Finnish study suggests that family and network-oriented, stress-reducing care can improve the overall functioning and mental health of adolescents at risk of developing psychosis. The JERI project provides a multiprofessional, community- and family-focused intervention that reduces stress levels and supports adolescents in their natu...
Researchers have identified a connection between daily cannabis consumption and the appearance of psychosis and schizophrenia in subjects with good premorbid performance. The study found that 66% of patients with normal neurodevelopment admitted to daily cannabis use, while 43% of those with abnormal neurodevelopment also used cannabis.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that first-time mothers are at a higher risk of developing psychosis in the month following childbirth. Women with higher infant birth weight and maternal diabetes had lower risks, while smoking and living without their partner did not significantly impact psychosis risk.
Researchers aim to identify youth at high risk for psychosis with 85-95% accuracy, using brain development patterns, electrical activity, and gene expression. The study seeks to understand the neural mechanisms involved and potentially modify cortisol secretion to buffer teenagers against its effects.
Mental illness is subject to biological and socio-cultural factors, according to Arizona State University bioethicist Jason Robert. He argues that personalized medicine must consider the person, not just their genome or brain scans. Robert will discuss the complexity of diagnosis and management of mental illness at the AAAS annual meet...
A large study found that identifying youth with risk factors for psychosis can lead to accurate predictions, with a 65-80% accuracy rate. Combinations of risk factors include social decline, family history, unusual thoughts, and past drug abuse. This ability to predict psychosis will help determine the most effective time to intervene.
Elyn Saks, a highly successful academic, has battled schizophrenia since adolescence. Despite hiding her illness, she has published a memoir and now advocates for mental health awareness, hoping to reduce stigma.
A meta-analysis of 35 studies found that cannabis use is associated with a 41% increased risk of psychosis, with the most frequent users more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic outcome. The study suggests that governments should invest in education campaigns to warn young people about the risks of cannabis use.
Researchers found that medication may delay the onset of psychosis in schizophrenia patients, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced symptoms. The study suggests that early recognition and treatment can help prevent or delay the development of full-blown psychosis in individuals with prodromal symptoms.
A study published in JAMA finds that rapid heroin detox under anesthesia can lead to death, psychosis, and increased stress. Alternative methods such as buprenorphine and clonidine are more effective and less expensive, highlighting the need for safer treatment options.
A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that earlier diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia significantly improves patient outcomes. Patients treated early tended to be younger, less symptomatic, and more responsive to treatment than those not receiving early detection programs.
A two-year study found that quetiapine treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Patients also showed notable enhancements in quality of life, with minimal reported side effects.
A study in four Scandinavian health care sectors found that public awareness programs significantly reduced the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) for first-episode patients. The programs included educational campaigns and a telephone hotline number, resulting in median DUP of 5 weeks compared to 16 weeks.
A study found individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis had difficulty identifying smells before symptom onset. This discovery could lead to a new diagnostic tool and earlier treatment options for schizophrenia and other psychoses.
A study by Robert A. Sweet MD establishes that Alzheimer's disease with psychosis (AD+P) may aggregate in families, suggesting a genetic link. The presence of psychotic symptoms in AD patients is also linked to aggressive behavior, rapid decline, and early institutionalization.
A new brain imaging study found that people with schizophrenia exhibit distinct brain changes at the earliest stages of the illness, potentially identifying warning signs and preventing development. The research suggests a role for brain imaging in pinpointing early signs and may lead to preventive psychiatry.