Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
A new study led by Michigan State University scientist uncovers a clue to deciphering schizophrenia by examining neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Reduced levels of both neurotransmitters were found in schizophrenia patients and healthy relatives, but the relatives maintained normal GABA levels.
A recent imaging study found a subtle increase in brain tissue volume in certain regions of patients with schizophrenia, indicating the brain's ability to reorganize and fight the illness. The study suggests that despite severe damage, the brain may constantly attempt to rescue itself or limit the damage.
A study by Columbia University researchers found a strong association between smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk of schizophrenia in children. Heavy maternal nicotine exposure was associated with a 38% increased odds of schizophrenia.
Non-Hispanic blacks are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia as non-Hispanic whites, but they're significantly less likely to receive medication for treatment. The study found that racial-ethnic differences in diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions were significant across 11 private healthcare delivery s...
Researchers found that individuals with schizophrenia have impaired ability to process visual and touch stimuli, leading to distorted perception of reality. The study's findings suggest a new way to identify the disease at an early stage, potentially allowing for earlier intervention.
A new study on lactose intolerance may provide insights into the origin of schizophrenia and other complex mental illnesses. Epigenetic factors that build up over time in individuals with genetic predisposition can lead to delayed onset of symptoms.
A Johns Hopkins study found that men with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a higher rate of yeast infections than those without these disorders. Women with schizophrenia also performed worse on memory tests after testing positive for yeast infections.
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Health Science University have identified a brain receptor that triggers synaptic pruning in the hippocampus during adolescence. This process is crucial for normal learning but goes awry in diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers identified four previously unknown genetic conditions within schizophrenia, each with distinct symptoms and disease features. The study provides a framework for finding influential genes across complex genetic diseases, enabling more precise treatment design.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a computational model to discover new protein-protein interactions associated with schizophrenia. The study identified over 500 never-before-known PPIs, which could lead to greater understanding of the disease and its relation to other complex diseases.
A powerful genetic regulator, miR-9, has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia, controlling the activity of hundreds of genes involved in fetal brain development. The study, led by Kristen Brennand and Gang Fang, found that miR-9 was under-expressed in brains of schizophrenic patients, leading to miswiring of neurons.
Research reveals smoking addiction in schizophrenia is associated with higher neuronal activation of the ventro-medial prefrontal cortex, leading to low smoking cessation rates and increased health risks.
Researchers found that physical exercise significantly improves cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly in areas such as memory, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. The study suggests that early intervention and combined cognitive training with aerobic exercise may lead to long-lasting impr...
A new study has identified a pattern of brain activity linked to memory problems in people with schizophrenia. The findings provide evidence that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is compromised in patients with schizophrenia and may be a specific target for treatment.
Researchers at Drexel University found that a protein called TCF4, associated with schizophrenia and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, remains present in cells after neurogenesis and restricts synapse formation. This persistence may contribute to the development of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research suggests a significant overlap between genetic factors associated with schizophrenia and maternal age at first birth, with women having high genetic predisposition to schizophrenia tending to have children at an early or later age.
Researchers found larger globe pallidus volume in schizophrenia patients and specific leftward asymmetry for the region. Patients also showed smaller hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and accumbens volumes compared to healthy controls.
A Swedish study found that refugees are at three times higher risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychoses. Traumatic life experiences, including persecution and conflict, may contribute to this increased risk.
A study published in The BMJ found that refugees have a substantially higher risk of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. Refugees were up to 3.6 times more likely to develop psychosis than the Swedish-born population, with incidence rates of 1264 per million.
A peptide derived from collagen protein promotes the formation of neuronal synapses in the brain, potentially helping to treat schizophrenia. Collagen XIX-deficient mice display symptoms similar to those seen in humans with the disorder.
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.
Researchers tested a low-dose dopamine-1 receptor agonist for treating cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, but found no significant improvements. The study suggests that higher doses of the medication may be more effective in counteracting these symptoms.
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.
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 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.
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.