Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
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.
Researchers found that family function is affected by the mental illness diagnosis type and caregiver sense of coherence. Caregiver strain and client dependence are associated with greater family disruption. Interventions for all family members may improve cohesion and support.
Scientists have identified a neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates attention and sensory processing, providing insight into how the brain filters out distractions. The discovery has implications for devastating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which are characterized by significant attention deficits.
Scientists at CAMH have discovered a novel drug target that could lead to better antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia patients. The discovery, led by Dr. Fang Liu, identifies a protein combination that disrupts symptoms without side-effects.
New Rutgers research suggests that an overabundance of the NOS1AP protein in developing brains can lead to abnormalities and faulty connections, potentially triggering schizophrenia. The study's findings offer a potential explanation for the biological process of the disease and may pave the way for targeted treatment therapies.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants to 15 scientists conducting innovative projects in neurobiological and behavioral research. The grants are valued at $1.5 million and aim to understand and treat psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
Researchers developed a family-focused, culturally-informed treatment for schizophrenia that reduced patients' psychiatric symptoms and improved caregiver emotional well-being. The program tapped into the family's cultural beliefs, values, traditions, and religious practices to help them manage the illness.
Researchers develop robot that induces feeling of 'ghost' presence in healthy participants by sending mixed-up sensorimotor signals. The phenomenon is linked to damage in frontoparietal cortex and may shed light on schizophrenic hallucinations.
Researchers developed an EEG test to help diagnose persons at risk of developing mental illness and measure the effectiveness of treatment options. The test measures auditory processing deficits in schizophrenia patients, suggesting potential improvement with cognitive exercises.
A new study suggests that approximately one-fifth of schizophrenia cases may be attributable to T. gondii infection, according to professor Gary Smith's epidemiological modeling. This finding implies that preventing infections with this parasite could prevent about one-fifth of all schizophrenia cases over a lifetime.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of robust studies shows that anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, can add to the effective treatment of schizophrenia. The study suggests that selecting specific anti-inflammatory agents could lead to improved patient responses and new treatment approaches.
The study found that patients with schizophrenia who took antipsychotic medication had higher triglycerides, insulin, and insulin resistance. Obesity was also linked to longer duration of psychiatric illness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher body mass index and waist circumference were associated with worse outcomes.
Patients with first episode psychosis face elevated risks of heart disease and metabolic issues due to mental illness, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and antipsychotic medications. A team-based healthcare approach is necessary to address these needs and improve overall health.
Two UC San Diego professors, David Braff and Gregory Light, have been recognized for their contributions to schizophrenia research. They developed innovative methods to identify biomarkers and create new psychosocial and pharmaceutical therapies for the disorder.
A new study from Brown University pinpoints working memory as a source of learning difficulties in people with schizophrenia. Researchers found that only working memory was impaired in individuals with the condition, highlighting its unique role in making learning more challenging.
Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan, a psychiatric geneticist, received the 2014 Lieber Prize for his distinguished work on schizophrenia. He heads large international projects and directs mega-analyses involving 90,000 participants.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognized eight scientists with Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work on psychiatric disorders, affecting one in four people. Recipients include Drs. David Braff and Patrick Sullivan, who pioneered schizophrenia and mood disorder research.
Researchers will sequence the genomes of 10,000 people with European, Hispanic, and African-American ancestry to better understand two mental health disorders. The goal is to identify genetic targets for drug development and improve disease prediction.
A multi-institutional team will sequence total genomic DNA from 10,000 or more ethnically diverse individuals to identify genetic variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort at Keck School of Medicine of USC comprises over 37,000 participants.
Researchers at University of North Carolina Health Care developed a blood test that identifies individuals at high risk for developing psychosis. The test measures immune and hormonal system imbalances, as well as oxidative stress, and shows promise in predicting the development of severe mental disorders like schizophrenia.
A new study found that schizophrenia patients have lower levels of nicotine receptors in the brain and experience improved social withdrawal and cognitive function after smoking. Smoking-related increases in nicotine receptors were also associated with better outcomes in these patients.
New research reveals schizophrenia to be a group of eight genetically distinct disorders, each with its own set of symptoms. The study analyzed genetic influences on over 4,000 people with schizophrenia and identified distinct gene clusters that contribute to the condition.
Researchers studied brain development in people with and without schizophrenia, finding altered trajectories of growth in highly-connected brain regions. The findings provide clues to the underlying causes of schizophrenia, supporting a neurodevelopmental disorder hypothesis.
Researchers found that neurons from schizophrenia patients secrete higher amounts of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. This discovery offers a new insight into the chemical basis of schizophrenia, potentially leading to new drug targets and therapies.
Research finds associations between psychotic disorders and reduced cortical folding patterns in key brain regions, suggesting alterations in brain development early in life. The study's results also indicate a potential familial risk marker for psychotic illnesses.
Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), researchers discovered that schizophrenia patients' hiPSC-derived neurons release more neurotransmitters, including dopamine. This finding could lead to a better understanding of brain disorders and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
A prior OCD diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders later in life. The children of parents diagnosed with OCD also show a heightened risk of developing schizophrenia and related disorders.
Research from San Francisco State University finds that individuals with schizophrenia struggle to set high-effort goals due to difficulty assessing effort required. Breaking down tasks into smaller ones with small rewards can help patients function normally and counter motivation deficits.
Research suggests that happiness is an attainable goal for some schizophrenia patients, associated with positive psychological and social attributes like resilience and optimism. A study found that 37% of patients reported being happy all or most of the time, regardless of severity, duration, or socioeconomic factors.
People with schizophrenia struggle to convert desires into actions due to brain deficits affecting the caudate region. This impairment prevents them from making choices and behaving accordingly. The study's findings suggest that schizophrenics are 'stuck in neutral', wanting a normal life but unable to take necessary steps.
A recent study using stem cells found that a rare genetic variation, known as DISC1, reduces synapse growth in young brain cells, contributing to schizophrenia and depression. The researchers also discovered that the variation regulates the activity of over 100 genes related to synapses.
A recent study has found that a rare genetic mutation in the DISC1 gene can corrupt neural connections, leading to disruptions in brain circuitry. The research, published in Nature, used induced pluripotent stem cells to model the effects of the mutation on human neurons.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism to develop drugs that can control schizophrenia symptoms without causing common anti-psychotic side effects. By targeting the dopamine D2 receptor, the 'dimmer switch' approach aims to subtly dial down dopamine's effect, potentially treating the disease and avoiding side-effects.
New study reveals a significant relationship between motivational deficit and poor cognitive performance in people with schizophrenia. Lower levels of motivation are associated with greater cognitive impairment, suggesting that understanding the impact of motivational impairment is crucial for improving treatments.
Researchers identified previously unknown areas of genetic material linked to schizophrenia and found associations with immune system genes. The study suggests potential treatments for autoimmune disorders and provides new targets for drug development.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that individuals with schizophrenia have lower levels of vitamin D than healthy people. People with vitamin D deficiency are 2.16 times more likely to have schizophrenia, highlighting a potential connection between vitamin D and psychi...
Researchers have identified over 100 locations in the human genome associated with the risk of developing schizophrenia, pointing to genetic variations that make people vulnerable to psychiatric disease. The study's findings could lead to new approaches to treating the disorder and inform drug development for acute need.
Researchers have identified over 100 genetic locations associated with schizophrenia risk, revealing biological pathways that could inform new treatment approaches. The study expands understanding of the disorder's genetic basis and underlying biology.
A multinational collaboration has identified over 100 locations in the human genome associated with schizophrenia risk, shedding light on biological mechanisms and pathways. The study could lead to new approaches to treating the disorder, which has seen little innovation in drug development for over 60 years.
A rare gene variant associated with a threefold risk of bipolar disorder, a two-to-three-fold increased risk of schizophrenia or alcohol dependence, and a threefold risk of developing the condition. The variant is found in approximately one in every 200 people.
A UK-led study has discovered over 100 genetic risk factors linked to schizophrenia, shedding light on the biological cause of the condition. The findings point to new biological mechanisms and pathways, including genes associated with schizophrenia being active in the immune system.
Researchers have discovered 108 genetic loci associated with schizophrenia, a significant increase from the 30 previously reported. The study suggests that these genetic variations may exert their effects by turning genes on or off rather than coding for proteins.
Researchers found a link between antipsychotic medication and reduced brain volume in schizophrenia patients, but no impact on cognitive function or symptoms over a nine-year follow-up. The study suggests that both older and newer antipsychotics may be associated with similar declines in brain volume.
Researchers found that schizophrenia patients exhibit altered brain activity in the ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, leading to impaired ability to control working memory. This deficit is characterized by increased activation of irrelevant information, hindering cognitive function.
Researchers found that higher levels of C-reactive protein in maternal blood were significantly associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring. The study suggests that pregnancy-related inflammation may play a role in the development of schizophrenia, providing new insights into its biological mechanisms.