Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
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 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.
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.
Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered an abnormality in the schizophrenic brain that may be responsible for its wide-ranging symptoms. Abnormal neural oscillations, or delta waves, have been linked to cognitive deficits such as memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Virginia will use single-cell genome sequencing to examine brain samples from people with and without schizophrenia. By comparing these samples, they hope to identify genetic causes of the disease and develop more effective treatments.
Researchers have reconciled three unrelated hypotheses about schizophrenia's causes by studying mice with a genetic deletion. The findings suggest that faulty neural connections, excess dopamine, and brain pruning are linked to the disease. The study aims to develop treatment strategies targeting these underlying causes.
The Lieber Institute for Brain Development is conducting a multi-site research effort to investigate the role of non-inherited genetic mutations in schizophrenia, specifically somatic mosaicism. The project aims to identify causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and guide treatment development.
Researchers found an inhibitory connection between the prefrontal cortex and thalamus, crucial for cognitive functions like attention and decision-making. This discovery may help explain schizophrenia's underlying mechanisms and indicate a path to new treatments.
Researchers at TSRI have identified a molecule, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), that triggers schizophrenia-like symptoms in animal models, including hyperactivity, anxiety, and altered brain structure. The study provides new tools for preventing or treating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism.
Researchers have found that rats can link cause and effect, form causal beliefs, and make rational inferences about their actions. These findings have implications for understanding human reasoning, particularly in older adults, and could inform clinical treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study by CAMH reveals that people with severe schizophrenia have distinct differences in their brain networks compared to those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and healthy individuals. The research provides strong evidence that schizophrenia is not one but rather multiple brain disorders.
Research suggests a link between finger length ratios and schizophrenia in males, with those having shorter index fingers indicating high testosterone exposure. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be an effective predictor of schizophrenia, showing significant differences between patient and control groups.
A study of rats exposed to lead found detrimental effects on brain cells and neurotransmitters associated with schizophrenia, including a decline in Parvalbumin-Positive GABAergic interneurons and increased levels of the dopamine receptor D2R. The findings support a link between early lead exposure and the onset of schizophrenia.
Researchers found that abnormal fast-spiking interneuron activity contributes to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Correcting these abnormalities, either through drug treatment or direct stimulation, can reverse cognitive symptoms, suggesting new potential therapies for the disorder.
Researchers found that schizophrenia gene loci are linked to regions called human accelerated regions (HARs) in the genome, which control gene expression. These HAR-associated loci play a key role in regulating genes linked to schizophrenia, particularly those related to neurotransmitter GABA and brain development.
Researchers found altered patterns and frequencies of electrical activity in dopamine midbrain neurons critical for emotional and cognitive processing. These findings suggest that impaired dopamine neuronal activity contributes to schizophrenia's negative symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and impaired motivation.
Researchers have identified eight genetically distinct types of schizophrenia, each with its own set of symptoms. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found that genes function as an orchestra, interacting with each other to contribute to the disease.
A new project called Spark aims to develop a first-in-class drug targeting cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. The project has received a 500,000 euro grant and is led by biotech Iproteos, with partners including Ascil-Biopharm, IRB Barcelona, and the University of the Basque Country.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found strong associations between mechanisms related to immune function and changes in gene expression. The research identified shared biological pathways among psychiatric disorders, shedding light on the development of these conditions.