Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
Researchers used PET imaging to find significantly lower muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor availability in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy individuals. This study provides the first in vivo evidence of widespread M1 receptor deficits in schizophrenia, supporting the development of muscarinic-based therapies.
A recent study using advanced PET scans has found widespread synaptic density loss in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly in areas rich in neurotransmitter receptors. The researchers identified distinct patterns of synaptic loss that follow the brain's molecular and connectivity architecture.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A first-of-its-kind randomized controlled trial demonstrates rapid metabolic improvements with a ketogenic diet compared to diet-as-usual, leading to correlations between ketone levels and reduced blood glucose and depression symptoms. The study also shows sustained metabolic improvements alongside significant reductions in schizophren...
A new study reveals children of Holocaust survivors born after WWII have a higher risk of schizophrenia, especially if their mother was over 5 years old when persecutions began. The research highlights the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its impact on mental health.
Researchers study blind Mexican cavefish to understand how evolution rewires the brain and shapes behavior. They found that cavefish become more active in light, a response believed to help them avoid predators.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking approach to prioritize schizophrenia-associated genes by analyzing genetic data from over 102,000 individuals. This study uncovered 641 previously unrecognized genes associated with schizophrenia, shedding light on the complex interactions between distant genetic variants.
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.
Scientists discovered that ZNF804A is most active in glutamatergic neurons during the second trimester of neurodevelopment. Altering the gene's activity revealed changes in synaptic regulation and protein production, leading to more electrically excitable synapses.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
Neutrophils have been found to manufacture a protein called C4A, which has been linked to schizophrenia. This discovery ties together various observations about the disorder and could lead to better treatments and diagnostics.
Children with high genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia show decreases in frontal cortical surface area during early adolescence, contrasting with regional expansion in those with low genetic susceptibility. This suggests neurodevelopmental deviations prior to symptom onset.
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.
A study by Brown University and Columbia University found that road infrastructure isolates communities, leading to increased schizophrenia-related hospital visits. The Community Severance Index measures physical and social disconnection using roads, traffic, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure.
Researchers analyze brain imaging data, microbiome profiles, and clinical assessments to identify biomarkers for precision mental healthcare. Early findings suggest certain electroencephalography features serve as non-invasive biomarkers indicating disease severity and treatment response.
Research found that gender-diverse teens reported higher rates of psychological stress and psychotic-like experiences, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. Bullying and unsupportive legislation drove these findings.
Researchers develop molecular tool called SynTrogo, which enables selective dismantling of synaptic connections in brain circuits. By harnessing astrocytes, the system reduces synapse number while strengthening remaining connections, leading to enhanced long-term potentiation and improved memory.
Researchers will use human stem cell-based models to uncover molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autism and schizophrenia. They aim to identify genetic variants that alter brain development and pinpoint common underlying mechanisms for both conditions.
A landmark study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that ADHD medication in childhood may reduce the risk of developing serious psychotic disorders later in life. The study found no evidence that treatment with methylphenidate increased the likelihood of psychosis in adulthood.
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program is expanding its career development award to include neuropsychiatry researcher-physicians. This expansion aims to improve clinical trial enrollment and represent diverse patient populations affected by complex disorders.
A new Northwestern University study has discovered a novel biomarker of schizophrenia that could also serve as a new drug candidate to treat the cognitive symptoms of the disorder. The study found that levels of the protein Cacna2d1 signal are reduced in patients with schizophrenia, resulting in overactive brain circuits.
Early alterations in the brain's clearance system may contribute to psychosis vulnerability. A study found that individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic condition, had impaired glymphatic system function from childhood, which may promote psychosis onset.
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 ...
A study of over 1 million diagnosed individuals reveals genetic links between 14 psychiatric conditions, grouping them into five major factors. The findings may facilitate future treatments and drug repurposing, with potential applications in schizophrenia and substance abuse
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.
Researchers review schizophrenia mechanisms, including neurotransmitter dysregulation and immune dysfunction, to develop next-generation therapies. Promising treatments include TAAR1 agonists, muscarinic modulators, NMDA receptor enhancers, and probiotics targeting the gut-brain axis.
The study reveals that psychosis does not follow a single trajectory but is influenced by individual differences and treatment. It shows that cortical volume reduction, particularly in regions with high serotonin and dopamine receptor density, is a hallmark of the disease.
Researchers found that brexpiprazole significantly improved information processing speed without worsening psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction is a persistent challenge, affecting daily functioning and social participation.
A rare genetic mutation has been discovered that can explain why some people do not respond to newer schizophrenia treatments. The mutation, known as C182F, removes a structural bond in the TAAR1 receptor, blocking its binding site and rendering drugs ineffective.
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.
Research suggests that lower oral microbiota diversity is associated with poorer cognitive function in people with schizophrenia. The study also identified specific microbial metabolic pathways potentially linked to this relationship.
A landmark study has identified over 100 ancestry-independent regions of the genome that influence schizophrenia risk in African Americans and other ancestrally diverse populations. The findings address a long-standing gap in psychiatric genetics and offer a more inclusive view of the disease’s biological underpinnings.
A recent study published in Nature identified over 100 new genetic regions linked to schizophrenia that had not been previously discovered. These findings show that while specific genetic variants may differ across populations, the core biological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia are shared worldwide.
Researchers discovered a crucial role of alternative RNA splicing in schizophrenia by identifying genetic variants affecting splicing and protein isoforms. The study highlights the significance of unannotated isoforms in disease pathogenesis and suggests potential avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that the brain forms new, high-density clusters of synapses on specific segments of dendrites during adolescence, challenging the 'adolescent synaptic pruning' hypothesis. This discovery may offer new hope for understanding the biological basis of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental condi...
Researchers discovered the cerebellum's key role in regulating the brain's reward system in people with schizophrenia. Stronger cerebellar regulation is associated with reduced negative symptoms, while weaker regulation increases symptoms. This finding opens up new avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions.
Research from Karolinska Institutet found that alpha frequency determines body ownership by modulating temporal integration of bodily signals. Faster frequencies led to higher temporal resolution, while slower frequencies caused broader timing differences.
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.
A comprehensive genetic investigation by Dr. Feng Liu and collaborators identifies shared genetic loci between schizophrenia and osteoporosis, suggesting overlapping biological pathways. The study found that psychiatric patients face elevated fracture risks due to these molecular connections.
Scientists at Lund University have created a new method to directly reprogram glial cells into parvalbumin neurons, which can help regulate brain activity and potentially treat disorders such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. The breakthrough could lead to therapies that replace lost or damaged brain cells in the future.
A randomized clinical trial shows that semaglutide improves glycemic control and weight outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as an early intervention strategy to reduce cardiometabolic risk in this population.
A new study reveals limited data on cognition in individuals with comorbid personality disorder and schizophrenia, leading to unfavourable outcomes. The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into adapting treatments to support functional recovery.
A study from the University of Seville found that patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders show significant reductions in structural similarity between different brain regions, particularly in the temporal, cingulate, and insular lobes. These alterations are associated with cognitive deficits and severe symptoms.
Researchers identified distinct epigenetic signatures in cord blood linked to increased schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Newborns with higher genetic susceptibility showed differences in DNA methylation patterns, especially in immune-related regions.
Researchers identified patterns that could help match the right treatment to the right patient by tracking real-world responses. Patients with prominent negative symptoms showed strongest improvements after receiving the new combination drug, while those with aggression or bipolar features saw limited benefit. The study suggests schizo...
Researchers discover tiny antibody-like proteins from camels and llamas that can treat brain disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease with fewer side effects. The nanobodies are smaller than conventional antibodies, making them easier to produce and purify.
A recent study has found that auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia may stem from a disruption in the brain's ability to recognize its own inner voice. Researchers used EEG to measure brainwaves as participants listened to audio and imagined speaking, revealing a stronger reaction in people with schizophrenia who heard voices.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that uses MRI scans to predict which patients with mental illnesses will gain weight after diagnosis, and which ones won't. The BMIgap tool has the potential to prevent future weight gain and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
Groundbreaking research by Dr. Bruce M. Cohen has uncovered critical abnormalities in energy metabolism and cellular connectivity that contribute to psychiatric disorders. The study's findings suggest therapeutic avenues that may be better targeted and more effective than current treatments.
Researchers from the University of South Australia explore the connection between the gut and brain to decipher their role in mental health and wellbeing. The study found that changes in the gut microbiome can directly affect brain chemistry, suggesting a potential link between gut health and mental illness.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.
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.
A study has created a detailed temporal map of epigenetic changes in the human brain from six weeks after conception to 108 years of age. This reveals that genes linked to autism and schizophrenia undergo dynamic DNA methylation changes during development, highlighting their role in brain cortex formation.
Johns Hopkins researchers used machine learning to analyze electric activity of mini-brains grown in a lab, revealing unique firing patterns associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study improves accuracy in distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy brain organoids, paving the way for potential diagnostic tests and p...
Researchers manipulated the endocannabinoid signaling system in prenatal mice, leading to altered gene expression, neural properties, and social interaction deficits. This work suggests that prenatal manipulation of this system may lead to neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly those involving social deficits.
Researchers created a comprehensive brain-wide activity map of decision-making in mice, revealing that signals are distributed across multiple brain regions. The study challenges traditional hierarchical views and highlights the importance of prior expectations in guiding behavior.
The study found sex differences in age at diagnosis, treatment onset, illness duration, illicit drug use, and smoking among individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Females showed better functioning and neurocognitive performance than males, while males had higher rates of substance use.
People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to shared genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. The lack of adequate medical care also contributes to the under-diagnosis of COPD in this population.