Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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...
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 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.
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.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that a gene deletion linked to schizophrenia alters brain cell skeletons, disrupting layer formation. Researchers also identify a crucial protein involved in building cellular skeletons, which may contribute to the condition.
Researchers describe a new strategy that pinpoints a genetic variant predisposing individuals to schizophrenia and reveals deficits in nerve development. The study uses induced pluripotent stem cells to identify CYFIP1 as a critical gene maintaining nerve cell structure.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine will examine the role of kynurenic acid in schizophrenia, a devastating psychiatric disease affecting one percent of people worldwide. The study aims to uncover its potential linchpin role and develop new treatment interventions.
A study by King's College London suggests that genes increasing schizophrenia risk also contribute to higher cannabis use. Individuals genetically predisposed to schizophrenia are more likely to use and consume cannabis in greater quantities.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified a disrupted brain circuit that may contribute to auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The study, published in Science, suggests that reducing information flow between two brain structures involved in processing auditory information sets the stage for stress triggers.
A new study reveals that exposure to air pollution early in life can produce harmful changes in the brains of mice, including enlargement of the lateral ventricles seen in humans with autism and schizophrenia. The findings are consistent with recent studies showing a link between air pollution and autism in children.
A Wayne State University study reveals that children genetically at risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder experience communication breakdowns in brain networks supporting attention. This dysfunction may amplify risk for psychiatric illnesses, highlighting potential premeditative intervention strategies.
Rates of adverse outcomes, including premature death and violent crime, in people with schizophrenia are increasing compared to the general population. Men and women with schizophrenia were eight times more likely to die prematurely than the general population.
A study sequencing the exome of 231 schizophrenia patients and their unaffected parents found that collective damage across several genes contributes to the disease. This discovery could lead to early detection and treatment strategies.
A study found no significant difference in effectiveness between long-acting injectable versions of second-generation and older antipsychotic medications. Participants taking paliperidone palmitate gained weight, while those taking haloperidol decanoate lost weight.
Researchers at the Salk Institute used stem cells to study neural function in people with schizophrenia, finding unusual activity in early developmental stages that may lead to diagnostic tests. The study suggests that events during pregnancy could contribute to the disease.
A decade-long study found that older adults with schizophrenia are twice as likely to receive a dementia diagnosis compared to those without the condition. However, they also experience higher rates of other serious illnesses and mortality rates, with a notable exception being lower cancer rates.
Dr. Peter F. Buckley, a psychiatrist and Dean of the Medical College of Georgia, has been awarded the Kempf Fund Award for Research Development in Psychobiological Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. The award recognizes his contributions to understanding schizophrenia and improving treatments.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that malfunctions in five genes - AUTS2, CDH8, MECP2, HUWE1, and TRAPPC9 - contribute to pathology in schizophrenia, autism, and intellectual disability. These genes play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation of transcription and may be essential for normal brain development.
Researchers analyzed proteins in rat brains after giving them hallucinogenic drugs, finding 352 proteins that respond to the drug and cause changes in behavior. These protein changes may be comparable to those in a schizophrenic brain, paving the way for new treatments.
A study by University of Chicago scientists found that genetic variants associated with enjoying the effects of amphetamine also reduce the risk for developing schizophrenia and ADHD. This suggests a complex role for dopamine in these diseases.
Researchers at Douglas Mental Health University Institute have discovered that dopamine is present in the hippocampus and plays a key role in this region. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to improve symptoms.
Researchers have discovered an experimental anticancer compound that reverses schizophrenia-like behaviors and restores brain cell function in adolescent mice with a rodent version of the devastating mental illness. The compound, FRAX486, works by halting an out-of-control biological pruning process in the schizophrenic brain.
Researchers used brain-mapping techniques to study imitation in schizophrenia patients and found abnormal brain activity in areas associated with imitation. The findings suggest that individuals with schizophrenia may have a less specialized brain network for processing social information, leading to difficulties with social interactions.
A comprehensive study found that contagious yawning decreases with age and is not strongly related to variables like empathy or energy levels. However, age was the most important predictor of contagious yawning, accounting for only 8% of variability in the response.
Researchers discovered a specialized mechanism for spatial self-awareness that combines visual cues with body motion, triggering reactions before the conscious brain processes them. This 'visuomotor binding' mechanism is less prone to distractions and may be linked to schizophrenia symptoms and difficulties with prosthetic limbs.
A national survey found that people are more likely to disclose experiences of depression and early schizophrenia, with increased recognition of symptoms and reduced stigma. The study suggests that improved knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems contribute to the increase in willingness to disclose.
A randomized trial in India found that community-based care led by lay health workers was more effective than standard facility-based care in reducing disability and psychotic symptoms, with patients almost three times more likely to continue taking their antipsychotic medication. However, costs were higher in the intervention group.
Researchers demonstrate a clear causal effect of the mirror system on social understanding, finding that areas involved in action production also contribute to understanding others' actions. The study uses innovative magnetic stimulation techniques to reveal the brain's role in social cognition.
Research from Aarhus University finds that people with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Infections play a determining role in this association.
Researchers have found rare gene variants on chromosome 7 that substantially increase schizophrenia risk, up to 100 out of a 1000 chance. The study also reveals a link between these genes and other disorders such as autism and intellectual development.
A study published in Neuron reveals a connection between genes controlling neuronal excitability and working memory, psychiatric disease, and brain activity. The researchers identified a network of genes that plays a crucial role in human brain function, highlighting the importance of understanding its dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Researchers found that cognitive therapy reduced psychotic symptoms and improved personal and social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia who had stopped taking antipsychotics. The therapy involved reappraising psychotic experiences and modifying unhelpful thought patterns.
A new study found that mental health workers with more seniority and personal experience view people with mental illness in a more positive light. The research also linked advanced degrees and personal experiences of mental illness to positive attitudes.
A landmark study by researchers found that women with schizophrenia are nearly twice as likely to experience pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, and other serious pregnancy and delivery complications. The study also revealed high birth weights, increased rates of hypertension and thromboembolic disease in pregnant women with schizophrenia.
Researchers have identified a subgroup of schizophrenia patients with motor disorders, characterized by low levels of A2A adenosine receptors in the basal ganglia. The study proposes a specific combination therapy involving antipsychotics and A2A agonists to reduce symptoms.
Two studies analyzed exomes of people with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, identifying patterns that suggest the disorder arises from combined effects of many genes. Genetic alterations tend to cluster in networks related to synaptic function, including calcium ion channels and cytoskeletal proteins.
Researchers have identified specific proteins disrupted by genetic mutations in people with schizophrenia, offering a new understanding of the disorder. The study also found an overlap between schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and intellectual disability.
Two large-scale exome studies found a significant role for rare genetic mutations in schizophrenia, contrary to previous assumptions of few 'faulty' genes. The studies established the world's largest database on schizophrenia, providing valuable resources for biomedical research.
Researchers used motion capture technology to study social interactions of patients with schizophrenia and found they were less likely to be spoken to in opening moments of conversations. The study's findings could help tackle social exclusion faced by people with the condition.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered two proteins that control the structure of chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory neuron important in epilepsy and schizophrenia. The study found that DOCK7 and ErbB4 regulate axonal projections, allowing one cell to block or modify hundreds of other cells.
Researchers discovered methylation sites linked to hypoxia, immune response, and neuronal differentiation in schizophrenia patients, offering potential avenues for distinct subtype identification and personalized treatment responses.
A 40-week treatment with varenicline resulted in abstinence rates three times higher than placebo, while cognitive behavioral therapy showed significant benefits. The study suggests that maintenance treatment may reduce tobacco dependence and smoking-related morbidity and mortality in individuals with serious mental illness.
A new NIH study reveals that individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to engage in substance use, especially cigarette smoking. Protective factors typically associated with lower substance use rates do not exist in those with severe mental illness.