Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
New study finds that human brain cells from individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia disrupt communication in mice, exhibiting anti-social and anxious behaviors. The researchers suggest that glial cell dysfunction is a primary contributor to the disease.
A new study found that people carrying certain genetic alterations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may experience impaired cognition, despite not developing a disorder. The research provides valuable insights into the effects of these genetic abnormalities on cognition in adults from the general population.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory nerve cell, are unaltered in schizophrenia patients, challenging prior findings of GABA deficits. The researchers suspect a developmental origin for the abnormality, which could have implications for treating brain disorders.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that specific antipsychotic agents and routes of administration impact the risk of rehospitalization and treatment failure among patients with schizophrenia. The research highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes.
A UCLA study found that people with a 22q deletion have thicker gray matter but less brain surface area compared to those with a duplication. In contrast, those with 22q duplications have thinner gray matter and larger brain surface areas, suggesting differences in social functioning regions.
Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam identified 52 genes associated with intelligence, including 40 previously unknown discoveries. The study reveals a correlation between genetic influences on intelligence and educational attainment, as well as traits like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
Neuroscientists at Tufts University have discovered a new signaling pathway that connects two major receptors in the brain associated with learning and memory. Astrocytes play a key role in regulating this pathway by sensing wakefulness and releasing chemicals that activate these receptors.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers links cannabis use in adolescence to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The research found that psychoactive compound THC triggers brain defects associated with the disorder in genetically susceptible individuals.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that valbenazine can significantly reduce tardive dyskinesia symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorder. The medication showed a 50% improvement rate compared to the placebo group.
Researchers found that Candida yeast infections contribute to bowel difficulties in men with schizophrenia. Probiotics also decreased delusions and hallucinations in participants without a history of yeast infections. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings and determine their effectiveness for women with schizophrenia.
Researchers at Columbia University found that haphazard neural activity in mice with schizophrenia symptoms may underlie the disease. The study suggests that disruptions in small networks of neurons could produce characteristic psychosis symptoms.
A balance test that stimulates part of the brain with cold water has shown promising results in improving insight into illness in people with schizophrenia. The study found that cold water in one ear increased patients' awareness and insight into their condition, while cold water in the other ear worsened it.
A study of veterans with schizophrenia found that only 23% drank any alcohol in the past 30 days, but those who misused alcohol experienced worsening symptoms. The findings suggest there is no safe level of alcohol use for people with schizophrenia.
A study from the University of Iowa Health Care found that cerebellar stimulation in rats with schizophrenia-like thinking problems restored normal brain activity in the frontal cortex and corrected timing deficits. The researchers used optogenetics to stimulate the rats' cerebellar region, which led to improved cognitive function.
Researchers analyzed genetic profiles of nearly 13,000 ALS/MND cases and over 30,000 schizophrenia cases, confirming that many associated genes are the same. The study reveals a 14% overlap in genetic susceptibility between the two conditions.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that patients with schizophrenia have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA and altered immune cell function. These findings provide new clues to the disease mechanisms of schizophrenia, but follow-up studies are needed to determine if these changes are causes or effects.
Researchers have identified a new way to distinguish between schizophrenia and depression using proteins in nerve cells. The method measures the level of hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) released in response to salt solution, which can indicate NMDA receptor signalling. This test may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as we...
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered a common genomic pathway that may be responsible for schizophrenia. By studying skin cells from four adults with schizophrenia, they found a dysregulated gene program that affects over 1,000 genes and can lead to the development of the disease.
Researchers identified sections of DNA associated with altered gene expression in schizophrenia, pointing to alternative splicing as a contributing mechanism. The study found four disease susceptibility genes impacted through splicing regulation, including NEK4 and FXR1.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh found a potential inverse relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis, with eight genes showing opposing effects on risk. The study suggests that immune system dysfunction may play a role in both disorders.
Researchers found that Neanderthal DNA sequences still influence human gene expression, contributing to traits such as height and susceptibility to schizophrenia or lupus. The study used the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project dataset and analyzed RNA sequences in 52 different tissues.
A Swedish study found that insufficient weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of nonaffective psychosis, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, in children. The study of 526,042 individuals born between 1982 and 1989 found that mothers who experienced extremely inadequate gestational weight gain were more l...
A review of worldwide studies found that high-dose B-vitamins significantly reduce schizophrenia symptoms. The research suggests that B vitamins are most beneficial when implemented early on and used with higher dosages or combined several vitamins.
Researchers from the University of Maryland have developed a blood test that can help doctors diagnose schizophrenia more quickly. The test measures oxidative stress in blood samples, which may be linked to the disorder and its treatment response.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found adjusting kynurenic acid levels can reduce schizophrenia-like behavior in mice. Higher KYNA levels are associated with cognitive problems and reduced glutamate signaling in people with schizophrenia.
A new study has developed a mirror game test using computer avatars to accurately detect specific variations in patient movement and social interaction, showing comparable results to clinical interviews and neuroimaging methods. The test may provide an affordable and effective device for early diagnosis and management of schizophrenia.
A new study reveals that non-severe infections can significantly increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and depression. The research found a dose-response correlation between the number of infections and the risk of mental disorders, suggesting that even minor infections can have severe consequences.
Research at University of Colorado Boulder reveals nicotine reverses hypofrontality in mice with schizophrenic characteristics, suggesting novel non-addictive treatment option for 51 million people worldwide affected by the disease.
Scientists used a mouse model to study nicotine's impact on brain cells involved in schizophrenia. Administering nicotine restored normal activity in prefrontal cortex neurons, similar to observed deficits in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Scientists found that reduced TMEM108 protein expression leads to imprecise communication between neurons, contributing to schizophrenia-like symptoms. Adding AMPA receptor-boosting drug restored healthy spines in mice.
People with early schizophrenia are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. The researchers found that patients showed higher levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance compared to healthy controls.
Researchers discovered that immigrant populations have altered brain chemistry, specifically higher levels of dopamine, which can increase the risk of schizophrenia. The study suggests that social stress is a key factor contributing to this increased risk, and targeted interventions may help mitigate it.
Research reveals that genes affecting social communication in children overlap with those for autism and schizophrenia, but influence risk differently at various stages of development. This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and their relationship to social competence.
A new dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia proposes a biological basis for the disorder, with dopamine signaling playing a key role in its development. The hypothesis has been revised numerous times since clinical observations first implicated dopamine decades ago.
A recent study from the University of Bristol found stronger evidence that schizophrenia risk predicts cannabis use, rather than the other way round. This suggests that people with schizophrenia may use cannabis as a form of self-medication to manage symptoms.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awarded $1.5 million NARSAD Distinguished Investigator grants to 15 scientists exploring innovative approaches to understanding and treating psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Researchers used MRI measurements to detect higher levels of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy individuals and those with bipolar disorder. The study suggests that oxidation imbalance may contribute to the development and progression of schizophrenia.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that dysfunctional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) brain receptors cause hearing deficits in schizophrenia. Patients who received training and administration of an amino acid, D-serine, significantly improved their ability to distinguish subtle differences in pitch.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified a small RNA that regulates the production of a protein targeted by antipsychotics, providing new clues for quieting the 'voices' of schizophrenia. The microRNA was linked to disruptions in brain circuits and age-related delays in symptom onset.
Researchers discovered eight locations in the genome with copy number variants associated with schizophrenia risk, affecting dozens of genes or disrupting single genes. These ultra-rare variants occurred more frequently in genes involved in synapse function and carried a four- to 60-fold increased risk for psychiatric illness.
Researchers found that impaired working memory and declarative memory are key neurocognitive functions affected in the high-risk, prodromal phase prior to psychosis onset. Interventions targeting these deficits may help mitigate schizophrenia's cognitive impairment and improve outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that schizophrenia-linked gene deletions alter the brain's ability of stem cells to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. HiPSCs from patients with schizophrenia exhibit reduced neurogenesis and increased glial cell production compared to healthy controls.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists with its 2016 Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. The award recognizes groundbreaking research that aims to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
Researchers at Wayne State University will use a new $3.2 million NIH grant to investigate impaired learning and memory in schizophrenia from the perspective of brain plasticity, function and network dynamics. The study aims to explore interventions that may normalize abnormal markers of the illness.
A study of 522 children found that those born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder scored higher on a behavior checklist and were at increased risk for anxiety, ADHD, and neurocognitive problems. The children also came from families with lower social status and more adverse life events.
A large Danish cohort study found that substance abuse increases schizophrenia risk by 6 times, with specific associations for cannabis, alcohol, and other substances. The study suggests a complex relationship between schizophrenia and substance abuse, with second-hand exposure to cannabis linked to increased risk.
UCLA scientists used a new technology to analyze DNA and found dozens of genes involved in the development of schizophrenia. The study provides important information on how the disorder originates and may lead to better treatments.
A new study published in Frontiers in Genetics finds a significant link between mental illness and genetic risk for substance involvement. The research suggests that individuals with a genetic predisposition to mental illness are also more likely to develop problematic usage patterns of licit and illicit substances.
A recent study found that parents who reproduce later in life are more likely to have children with autism disorders, while older mothers are associated with reduced risks. In contrast, advanced paternal ages were linked to increased risks of most autistic disorders in offspring.
A $15.4 million initiative co-led by Johns Hopkins and Salk aims to improve the quality of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology for studying mental health disorders. The project will use iPSCs from over 50 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to develop new diagnostic and drug discovery tools.
An international study has clarified which specific genes are affected by genetic variants associated with schizophrenia, providing a blueprint for researchers to tackle complex diseases.
Research from University of Manchester found that aerobic exercise training can significantly improve patients' brain functioning and reduce cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. The study showed that exercise programs combined with medication led to better outcomes in areas such as social understanding, attention spans, an...
A study found that individuals with smaller hippocampi are more likely to have a combination of genetic risk factors associated with an increased risk of psychosis. This discovery may lead to the development of personalized treatment strategies for schizophrenia.
The Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have created an interactive model of the brain's chemical balance to simulate major systemic changes in schizophrenia sufferers. This tool depicts chemical underpinnings in simple graphics, helping clinicians better understand the disease and test hypotheses virtually.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 10 patients discharged from state psychiatric hospitals continue to take multiple antipsychotic drugs. The high rate of antipsychotic polypharmacy is attributed to a diagnosis of schizophrenia and extended hospital stays, highlighting the need for revised standards and definitions.
The study found that both aripiprazole and quetiapine were effective in improving symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly positive symptoms. However, aripiprazole demonstrated slightly better efficacy in general psychopathology and insight. No significant increase in extrapyramidal adverse effects was observed in either group.
A Swedish study found that trigger events like exposure to violence were linked to increased risk of violent crime among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study also revealed a higher risk for individuals without psychiatric diagnoses who experienced similar triggers.
A new clinical calculator assesses individual risk of psychosis after early warning signs of schizophrenia, such as hearing voices. Symptoms like unusual thought content and social functioning decline contribute significantly to the risk of developing psychosis.
A study by Nagoya University researchers reveals high levels of genetic heterogeneity and DNA instability in schizophrenia patients, suggesting a possible link between copy number variations (CNVs) on chromosomes 1, 15, 16, and 22 and disease mechanisms.