Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
Researchers at RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics have uncovered a faulty brain mechanism underlying schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders in humans. Mice genetically engineered to display symptoms of schizophrenia exhibit abnormal neural activity in the default mode network, which processes memories and recall.
Researchers have identified N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) as a potential therapeutic alternative for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. NAC has been shown to reduce core symptoms of these conditions by boosting glutathione, reducing inflammation, and enhancing nerve cell growth proteins.
A large-scale genetics study is underway to investigate the genetic causes behind increased rates of schizophrenia and psychiatric disorders in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients. The four-year grant from the NIMH will advance understanding of this under-recognized neurogenetic condition and potentially inform new treatments.
A team of U-M neuroscientists reports that SIRP alpha plays a critical role in stabilizing the most active synaptic connections between brain cells. This finding may aid research on conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability, which are linked to abnormal synapse function.
Researchers developed an Awareness Information Net (AIN) model to monitor patient behavior and spot problems, enabling timely intervention by carers, experts, and patients. The collaborative approach has the potential to raise awareness of schizophrenia in society, helping others cope with its consequences.
Researchers identified key function of CYFP1 at synapses, orchestrating two biological processes to regulate brain cell connections. Poorly developed and dysfunctional synapses are linked to conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities.
Research suggests oxytocin could improve social cognition and reduce repetitive behaviors in patients with autism spectrum disorders. In schizophrenia, some studies have reported encouraging effects on severity and social cognition.
Researchers discovered abnormalities in both myelin and axons among patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a complex relationship between the two. The findings indicate that strategies targeting both axonal health and myelin synthesis may be needed to restore normal brain functioning in this condition.
A University of Iowa study documents how schizophrenia impacts brain tissue and the effects of anti-psychotic drugs on those with relapses, revealing that medication can lead to lifelong brain damage, while longer psychosis periods are toxic to the brain.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio suggest that cell transplants could be a promising treatment for schizophrenia. By transplanting interneurons into the brain, they were able to restore normal function in rats with impaired dopamine systems, which are involved in cognition, movement, and emotions.
Researchers found similar disturbances in cortical circuit function between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with individuals with schizophrenia showing more severe abnormalities. The study suggests a continuous spectrum of circuit dysfunction across the disorders.
Tel Aviv University researchers used zoological methods to classify symptoms of OCD and schizophrenia in humans. The study found that schizo-OCD patients exhibited both OCD-like behavior and symptoms of schizophrenia, suggesting it's a combination of both disorders.
A new model system developed by Salk researchers completes the bridge between cellular and human studies of schizophrenia, enabling faster development of therapeutics. The model uses non-invasive scalp EEGs to detect brain activity, providing insights into sensory integration and neurotransmitter function.
A new genome-wide association study has identified two major pathways involved in causing schizophrenia, including a calcium channel pathway and a micro-RNA 137 pathway. The study, published in Nature Genetics, provides the strongest clues to date for understanding the causes of this debilitating mental illness.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a faulty 'switch' between brain regions that may cause psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that detecting this disconnection could help identify patients with the condition, and potentially lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers have determined that five major mental illnesses are traceable to the same common inherited genetic variations, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showing the highest overlap. Common genetic variation accounted for 17-28% of risk for the illnesses.
A genetic alteration in the TOP3B gene has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia and intellectual impairment. The study reveals a common biological pathway between schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome, which is associated with autism and learning difficulties.
A rare genetic deletion of the TOP3B gene has been identified as a common biological pathway for both schizophrenia and a learning disorder associated with autism, increasing susceptibility by two-fold. The study uncovers an important biological process underlying these brain disorders, potentially leading to new drug targets.
Researchers found a link between spontaneous mutations and impaired neurogenesis in the prefrontal cortex of people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that genetic damage can disrupt brain development and lead to early signs of the illness, such as impaired executive functions.
Researchers identified large rare changes in chromosome structure associated with schizophrenia, similar to those found in autism spectrum disorder. These findings suggest a potential role for clinical DNA testing in understanding the complex disease.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a link between the prefrontal cortex and learning and behavioral deficits in mice with mental illness genes. This study suggests targeting specific brain-behavior mechanisms may alleviate cognitive and motivational symptoms.
Research suggests negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with abnormalities in weighing effort cost versus reward value. Individuals with severe motivational problems tend to avoid higher-effort tasks for smaller rewards.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have found that high doses of famotidine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and affect the histamine system in the brain. After four weeks of treatment, symptoms of schizophrenia decreased statistically significantly in patients who received famotidine.
A Yale team identified a key molecular mechanism underlying higher-order thinking, which is impaired in schizophrenia. The discovery of the alpha7 nicotinic receptor's role in cognitive function may lead to new treatments for cognitive disorders.
Researchers hope targeted mental workouts can sharpen memory and focus in adults with schizophrenia by taking advantage of brain's natural plasticity. The modules use a game-like approach to improve speed and accuracy of information processing.
Researchers found significant epigenetic changes in DNA methylation patterns related to immune function in people with and without schizophrenia. These changes were found to protect against delusion and hallucination symptoms in schizophrenia patients.
Researchers found a potential link between homocysteine levels and schizophrenia risk through epigenetic mechanisms. Elevated plasma homocysteine may contribute to gene expression changes that increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway to enhance NMDA receptor function using pregnenolone sulfate, increasing functional receptors on cell surface within minutes. This finding suggests potential treatments not only for schizophrenia but also age-related memory and learning issues.
Scientists found that lead exposure can trigger schizophrenia-like behaviors and brain structural changes in mice engineered with a human gene for the disease. The study suggests a synergistic effect between lead exposure and a genetic risk factor, opening avenues to better understand complex gene-environment interactions.
Researchers developed an avatar system to control hallucinations in schizophrenia, showing promise in reducing frequency and severity of episodes. The therapy does not address delusions directly but improves overall effect.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that individually harmless genetic variations affecting related biochemical processes may team up to increase the risk of schizophrenia. The study suggests a buildup of mutations in a pathway related to the disease can be the culprit for the mental disorder.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that healthy individuals who experience auditory hallucinations have a unique brain response compared to those without mental illness. The researchers discovered that the primary auditory cortex of these individuals reacts less to external stimuli, allowing them to dir...
Dr. Peter Williamson's research reveals distinct neural networks affected by different psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to uncover differences between patients and healthy individuals.
Scientists have reversed behavioral and brain abnormalities in adult mice by restoring normal expression to the Neuregulin1 gene, which is over-expressed in humans with schizophrenia. The findings suggest that damage caused by abnormal prenatal expression may be reversible in adulthood, offering hope for treatment of some patients.
Scientists have genetically engineered mice to mimic high levels of neuregulin-1 associated with schizophrenia, and found that reversing this gene expression eliminated classic symptoms. The study suggests that targeting excessive neuregulin-1 levels could be a new approach to treating the disorder.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found a link between genetic risk for schizophrenia and lower IQ, suggesting common genetic variants may contribute to cognitive decline. The research analyzed data from 937 individuals and found that those with higher genetic risk had lower IQ at age 70 but not at age 11.
Researchers have discovered a method for physical diagnosis of schizophrenia by collecting tissue from the nose through a simple biopsy. This finding could lead to a more accurate diagnosis and early detection of the disease.
A recent study from Columbia University Medical Center suggests that high levels of glutamate in the brain may trigger psychosis in individuals at risk for schizophrenia. This finding could lead to the development of a diagnostic tool to identify those at risk and new treatment strategies to prevent or slow disease progression.
A global study found that a common backbone of prejudice exists in 16 countries, unfairly painting people with conditions like depression and schizophrenia as undesirable for close relationships and positions of authority. The study, led by Indiana University sociologists, analyzed data from 19,508 participants across diverse cultures ...
A comprehensive study identifies multiple genes associated with schizophrenia risk, shedding light on brain function and immune response pathways. The findings pave the way for developing more efficacious drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers identified rare variants in genes involved with the NMDA receptor network, which regulate brain cell connections and signal transmissions. These findings support the hypothesis that decreased NMDA receptor-mediated nerve-signal transmissions contribute to schizophrenia.
Researchers found that 35% of schizophrenia patients in relapse had UTIs, compared to 5% and 3% of stable outpatients and healthy controls. The association suggests that UTIs may trigger schizophrenia relapse.
Children at risk of schizophrenia have brains that function differently than those not at risk, with a neural circuitry that is hyperactivated or stressed by tasks. This finding suggests early warning signs or vulnerability markers for schizophrenia and may help identify individuals who can be intervened to minimize risk.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million in new NARSAD grants to 40 mid-career researchers pursuing innovative studies on depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. The grants will focus on diagnostic tools, early intervention, new technologies, next-generation therapies, and basic research.
Researchers alter mouse brain activity to mimic schizophrenia changes, revealing a causal link between brain activity and cognitive problems in normal mice. Decreased thalamic activity disrupts communication between the thalamus and prefrontal cortex, leading to working memory deficits.
Researchers identified a rare variant in GRIN3A associated with schizophrenia, suggesting an intrinsic mechanism producing psychotic symptoms. The study supports the 'NMDA receptor hypothesis' and proposes a novel point of therapeutic intervention.
Researchers found that mice deficient in glutathione, a molecule essential for cellular protection against oxidations, had impaired parvalbumin neurons when stressed at young age. However, treatment with N-acetylcysteine from birth onwards protected these neurons, suggesting a potential preventive measure for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improved working memory performance in individuals with schizophrenia, comparable to healthy subjects. The study suggests rTMS as a potential treatment for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is being tested as a potential treatment for schizophrenia, targeting brain-based impairments and social cognition skills. The study aims to compare CET with Enriched Supportive Therapy in addressing core impairments.
A study by an international team of researchers has found that a combination of cytomegalovirus infection in the mother and a specific gene variant in the child significantly increases the risk of schizophrenia. The risk is five times higher than usual, according to the research published in Molecular Psychiatry.
A new study suggests schizophrenia is associated with accelerated aging, particularly in cerebral white matter. Individuals with schizophrenia have shorter average lifespans and are at increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
A study found that adding folate and vitamin B12 to antipsychotic medication improved negative symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in individuals carrying specific genetic variants. The results suggest a potential new avenue for treatment, as well as the need for personalized medical approaches.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a gene variant associated with higher production of kynurenic acid, which may explain psychotic features in bipolar disorder. The study suggests that inflammation and stress trigger the production of KYNA, leading to increased levels in patients' brains.
A new imaging-genetics study from CAMH found that a specific version of the microRNA-137 gene is associated with younger age at onset and distinct brain features in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that developing tests to screen for this gene could help treat patients earlier and more effectively.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered a link between prenatal infections, stress during puberty, and schizophrenia-relevant brain changes. The study suggests that the combination of these two factors significantly contributes to the development of the disorder.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that individuals with a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia are more likely to experience a decline in IQ as they age. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, used advanced genetic analysis techniques to investigate how thinking skills change over time.
A new study reveals that slow-firing neurons are essential for higher-order thinking and mental representations, which are compromised in diseases like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's. The research identifies NMDA-NR2B receptors as key regulators of neuronal firing.
Researchers at McGill University found that people with schizophrenia exhibit impaired reading fluency due to context-dependent eye movements and processing of words. The study provides new insights into the impact of schizophrenia on cognitive functions and could lead to earlier interventions.
Researchers identified a mutant mouse model of schizophrenia that exhibits mild chronic brain inflammation and cognitive deficits. The study found that Shn-2 deficiency leads to an 'immature Dentate Gyrus', which produces schizophrenia-related phenotypes. Chronic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs rescued working memory deficit ...
A new study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics finds a significant link between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease. The researchers used a novel statistical model to identify 16 new loci associated with both conditions, including triglyceride levels and waist-hip ratio.