Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
Emerging evidence on schizophrenia's development, prodromal characteristics, and long-term course provides reasons for optimism. New insights into neurobiology, early treatment, and more highlight key areas of progress toward understanding the complex disorder.
A recent study suggests that immunotherapy can improve cognitive ability in patients with schizophrenia by suppressing inflammation. The study found significant improvements in cognitive function after just two doses of an immune-suppressing drug, tocilizumab.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows that genetic counseling is valuable for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and similar conditions. Genetic counseling helps clarify misconceptions about the cause of psychiatric illnesses and reduces feelings of guilt and distress.
Researchers have successfully disrupted a genetic chain of events in a mouse model of schizophrenia and reversed memory deficits. The study used a chemical compound to regrow connections between brain cells, restoring memory deficits and showing potential for effective therapies.
A new study by the University of Toronto found that individuals with schizophrenia have a lifetime prevalence of 39.2% for suicide attempts, compared to 2.8% of those without the disorder. Those who experienced childhood physical abuse were five times more likely to attempt suicide.
Researchers at Georgia State University found no evidence of a genetic overlap between risk for schizophrenia and smaller subcortical brain volumes in a global study involving nearly 600 researchers. The study analyzed brain scans from almost 12,000 individuals worldwide to examine the genetic basis of schizophrenia.
A professor of psychiatry argues that schizophrenia should be replaced with 'psychosis spectrum syndrome' due to the complexity and heterogeneity of psychotic illness. The current classification system uses outdated language and may lead to misdiagnosis or overemphasis on this condition.
Researchers failed to find evidence of genetic overlap between schizophrenia risk and subcortical volume measures, a key finding that defines a roadmap for future studies investigating the genetic covariance between brain phenotypes and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have linked schizophrenia symptoms to specific brain features using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study identified distinctive subgroups among patients with different symptoms. Analyzing the brain's anatomy may help develop more precise treatments for individual patients.
A landmark genetic study found that a person's risk of schizophrenia is increased if they inherit specific variants in the complement component 4 (C4) gene, which plays a role in synaptic pruning. This discovery helps explain decades-old observations and may lead to future therapeutic strategies targeting the disorder's roots.
Researchers discovered that gene versions of C4 trigger runaway synaptic pruning during adolescence, leading to fewer brain connections and higher risk of developing schizophrenia. This finding offers a new potential target for interventions and treatments.
Researchers are exploring the anti-inflammatory drug's ability to improve cognition in patients with stable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The study aims to enroll 30 patients and examine the effects of siltuximab on cognitive impairment, which is a significant unmet need in treating schizophrenia.
Research reveals a decrease in inhibitory neurons in brain's memory center CA2 region, associated with social memory deficits and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. The findings suggest a possible link between this brain region and the disorder's symptoms, opening up new avenues for research and potential treatments.
Research by James Cook University scientists found a ketogenic diet reduces animal behaviors resembling schizophrenia, potentially providing an alternative energy source and circumventing cellular energy pathways. The diet has also been shown to lead to weight loss and lower blood glucose levels in mice.
A recent study has identified the Shank3 gene as a key contributor to both autism and schizophrenia. The researchers found that two different mutations of the gene produce distinct molecular and behavioral effects in mice, shedding light on how a single gene can play a role in multiple diseases.
A team of researchers has identified biological markers that can classify mental disorders with greater precision, using neurobiological measures to differentiate conditions. The findings may lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for those suffering from mental illness.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awarded $1.5 million Distinguished Investigator Grants to 15 scientists conducting innovative projects in neurobiological and behavioral research. The grants aim to understand and treat psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
A new study finds that biomarkers outperform symptoms in identifying distinct psychosis subgroups, suggesting a more precise diagnosis may lead to improved treatments. The research used 1,872 participants and identified three biotypes, each with unique patterns of brain function and structure.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that cannabis use is associated with increased neural noise in healthy human subjects. The researchers found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of cannabis, induces psychosis-like effects by increasing random brain activity.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that genetic variants associated with schizophrenia were enriched for changes in DNA methylation in the developing brain. The research team identified potential implications for understanding the origins of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study of 70 individual twins and 130 healthy control twins found that reduced white matter integrity shares common genes with schizophrenia risk. The findings suggest a genetic overlap between structural brain connections and schizophrenia, highlighting potential new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
A new study maps specific schizophrenia symptoms to distinct brain circuits, revealing novel connections between cognitive, emotional, and intellectual symptoms. The findings have important implications for diagnosis and treatment, suggesting that brain scans could help identify individual patients and track progress during therapy.
Research found structural differences in brain regions of people with schizophrenia who experience hallucinations compared to those without hallucinations. The paracingulate sulcus, a fold towards the front of the brain, was shorter in individuals prone to hallucinations.
Schizophrenia impacts brain protein synthesis rates, affecting cellular machinery and function in adult stem cells. The study's findings enhance understanding of the disorder and provide new approaches for future drug therapies.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who switch to clozapine have better outcomes, including fewer hospitalizations and longer medication adherence. The findings provide important guidance for clinicians caring for this vulnerable population.
A new treatment approach, CIT-S, combines family therapy with culturally-based practices to reduce caregiver burden and shame. The study found that CIT-S was effective in improving caregivers' quality of life and reducing psychiatric symptoms.
An expert system can help diagnose schizophrenia's early onset symptoms, allowing for timely referrals and earlier treatment. The system uses AI to process reported symptoms and identify potential cases.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that adults with schizophrenia are more than 3.5 times as likely to die as the general population, particularly due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The research also highlights tobacco use as a key modifiable risk factor for premature death among individuals with schizophrenia.
A new UCL study has highlighted genes involved in schizophrenia and obesity, which could aid in developing improved prevention and treatment strategies. Variants in CRHR1 and SNORD115 were found to be more common in obese subjects, suggesting that disruptions in these genes may increase the risk of obesity.
Researchers matched behavioral symptoms to specific brain abnormalities, providing a new way of thinking about schizophrenia. The study found distinct subgroups of patients with schizophrenia that correlate with symptoms, offering a step toward improving diagnosis and treatment.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. The awards recognize the transformative power of neuroscience to improve mental health.
A new analysis identified illogical thoughts as most predictive of schizophrenia risk in teens experiencing attenuated psychosis symptoms. Suspiciousness and unusual thought content were found to be the most informative symptoms, while perceptual disturbances - common features of schizophrenia - were not predictive.
People with schizophrenia are more likely to misinterpret ambiguous social cues due to increased self-inference and hyper-mentalisation. Researchers found that patients' confidence in their interpretation is strongly associated with hallucinatory symptoms.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that young people identified as 'at risk' for mental problems described feeling stigmatized by symptoms, but not the label itself. Early intervention benefits may outweigh stigma concerns.
Research led by Duke-NUS scientists has linked abnormal behavior of BDNF and DTNBP1 genes to the underlying cause of schizophrenia. By understanding how these genes interact, researchers have identified potential treatments that could rescue signalling balance in the brain, offering new hope for schizophrenia patients.
Researchers discovered a consistent reduction in gray matter volume in the right anterior insula portion of the brain across all 4 ethnic groups studied. This finding suggests that this region may provide valuable information for diagnostic evaluations in various Axis I disorders.
A meta-analysis of 1155 patients with schizophrenia and 911 healthy controls found progressive cortical gray matter loss relative to healthy controls, related to cumulative antipsychotic intake. Second-generation antipsychotics showed a neuroprotective effect, reducing progressive loss.
A new Phase III clinical trial indicates cariprazine may treat negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including lack of emotion and social withdrawal. Researchers found a statistically significant improvement in the PANSS-NFS scale relative to risperidone after 26 weeks of treatment.
Research found that cannabis use by age 16 affects cortical maturation in male adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia. This study suggests a link between cannabis exposure and lower cortical thickness in these individuals.
A study by George Washington University researchers has identified a unique microbiome pattern in the throat of individuals with schizophrenia. The findings suggest that certain oral bacteria may be associated with the disease, offering new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.
Research suggests retinal changes can serve as measures of brain pathology in schizophrenia, predicting disease risk and progression. The findings may help guide future treatment adjustments.
A University of Bristol study has identified the mechanisms behind disruption in brain communication channels linked to schizophrenia symptoms. The research reveals that over-activation of dopamine receptors can suppress NMDA receptor function, leading to a marked disruption of communication between key brain regions.
A study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that individuals with a genetic subtype of schizophrenia who were born with low birth weight or prematurely had nearly one in two risk of developing schizophrenia. This is compared to those without schizophrenia, where the risk was lower.
New research links mGluR5 receptor loss in parvalbumin-positive interneurons to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that alteration of these receptors may be a critical step in the formation of some neurodevelopmental disorders, with potential for reversal.
Researchers discovered fundamental differences in brain formation between children with childhood-onset schizophrenia and their siblings, revealing similar delays in brain connectivity that normalize over time. This finding opens up new avenues for developing treatment approaches with fewer side effects.
A brain training iPad game has been shown to improve the memory of patients with schizophrenia, enabling them to function better in their daily lives. The study found significant improvements in episodic memory and global functioning, suggesting a potential therapeutic tool for managing the condition.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has named six young scientists as winners of the Klerman-Freedman Prizes, recognizing their outstanding work in neurobiological and psychosocial research. The prizes were awarded to Alan Anticevic for his study on cognitive function in schizophrenia and Michael M. Halassa for his work on sensory...
Researchers at Cardiff University have identified a critical function of the DISC-1 gene that plays a crucial role in brain development and plasticity. The study reveals a vulnerable period in early brain development where failure to bind with specific molecules leads to irreversible effects on later-life plasticity.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia experience relational encoding problems and regional brain dysfunction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The study suggests a new target area for treatment development to improve memory in individuals with psychosis.
Research finds high blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) correlate with smaller prefrontal cortex and brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. This may lead to development of easier diagnostic tests and better disease understanding.
Researchers found that schizophrenia patients have a higher-than-normal share of rare genetic mutations, highlighting the complex genetic architecture of the disorder. The study supports the hypothesis that schizophrenia may originate during early brain development.
A large-scale study has identified structural brain abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, including smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes and larger ventricle volumes. The findings provide new insights into the condition's development and potential treatment responses.
A new study at FAU will examine the impact of an injectable long-acting antipsychotic medication on patients with severe schizophrenia, aiming to reduce relapse and re-hospitalization. The two-year research aims to investigate treatment adherence and its effect on 30-day hospital readmission rates.
A UCLA study found that long-acting injectable risperidone significantly reduces symptoms of schizophrenia, especially in recently diagnosed patients. The medication showed better adherence and efficacy compared to daily oral pills, with only 5% experiencing symptom return within a year.
Researchers discover that genetic mutations disrupt a delicate balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, contributing to schizophrenia. The study finds strong evidence for the role of copy number variants in disrupting this balance, with potential implications for developing new treatments.
Researchers found genetic variations affecting stress response and brain function correlate with increased risk of major depression and schizophrenia. The study also highlights the importance of GABA signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation led to improvements in short-term memory and subtle changes in word retrieval in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that this type of brain stimulation might ease some cognitive difficulties, enabling individuals to lead a more normal life.
The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the Pennington Family Foundation to investigate the factors contributing to varying outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study aims to identify biological associations that can improve treatment strategies and prevent long-term ...
A large Ontario-based study reveals that some immigrants and refugees have a 1.5 to 2 times greater risk of psychotic disorders than the general population, with specific groups from Caribbean and East Africa/South Asia showing significantly higher rates.
A new study used MRI to identify how brains of young people with schizophrenia symptoms are wired differently. The research found reduced information transmission and rerouted pathways, affecting central hubs that can lead to widespread problems. This technique could provide a valuable tool for predicting future illness.