Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
Research found significant insulin resistance and impaired glucose effectiveness in non-obese patients treated with clozapine, olanzapine, or risperidone. This may increase the risk for diabetes mellitus in vulnerable individuals.
The NIH is providing $32.8 million to enhance its Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN), a consortium of universities and research groups focused on utilizing information technology innovations to advance biomedical science. BIRN aims to create an environment encouraging collaborative research, facilitating sharing, analysis, ...
Researchers found that schizophrenic patients lacked gamma band response, indicating defective communication between neurons, while healthy brains showed synchronized activity at 40 hertz. The study suggests that drugs promoting a normal gamma response may help alleviate schizophrenia symptoms.
PKC enzyme's excessive activity is associated with symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Increasing PKC activity in the prefrontal cortex impairs cognitive function, while inhibition may offer therapeutic benefits.
Researchers found that a defect in RGS4 gene may cause schizophrenia-like symptoms, such as difficulty filtering out unimportant sensory information. The study uses mouse brain nerve cell circuitry to better understand the cause of schizophrenia.
Researchers used DTI scans to analyze the movement of water molecules in brain fibers, finding abnormalities in neural pathways related to verbal memory and executive functioning. The study suggests that schizophrenia may result from differences in neural connections rather than single component faults.
Physicians and individuals with stable schizophrenia report similar top treatment goals: improving mental health and overall happiness. People with schizophrenia prioritize life goals, such as returning to favorite hobbies and reducing feelings of isolation.
A new study reveals that 8 out of 10 patients with serious mental illnesses are satisfied with their Seroquel treatment, experiencing improved positive and negative symptoms. This is attributed to its effectiveness and favorable side effect profile, leading to better compliance and outcomes.
The UCI Brain Imaging Center will utilize advanced fMRI, PET, and DTI imaging techniques to study abnormal brain networks in schizophrenia. The goal is to identify the underlying biology of the disease and develop more effective treatments.
Research suggests a double dissociation in deficit and nondeficit schizophrenia, with summer births associated with deficit syndrome. The association was found across six countries in the northern hemisphere, supporting seasonal variations in etiology.
Children of parents with schizophrenia are vulnerable to developing interpersonal difficulties later in life. The study highlights the need for support to help these individuals cope with the illness.
A recent study found that people with schizophrenia in China are 24 times more likely to die by suicide than those without the condition. The research suggests a possible link between the prevalence of schizophrenia and suicide in women, who make up a larger proportion of those affected.
A mouse study has identified a potential genetic link between NPAS3 and NPAS1 genes and psychosis. The mutated mice displayed deficits consistent with schizophrenia, including impaired social interaction and startle response. Further research is needed to confirm the connection.
A new study identifies a genetic link between schizophrenia and the GRM3 gene, which regulates glutamate in brain synapses. People with the 'A' variant have lower levels of glutamate and poorer cognitive function compared to those with the 'G' variant.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to influenza may increase the risk of schizophrenia in offspring years later, with a threefold increased risk when exposure occurred during the first half of pregnancy. The study analyzed archived sera from pregnant women and their children born between 1959-1966.
Researchers Wade Berrettini and Irwin Lucki received Distinguished Investigator Awards to study gene identification and behavioral effects of neurotrophins. Monica Gonzalez won a Young Investigator Award to investigate the effect of long-term light deprivation on depression.
The studies confirm SEROQUEL's effectiveness across a range of schizophrenia symptoms, including positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning. Cognitive improvements were seen in patients treated with SEROQUEL.
In a European multicentre trial, 119 schizophrenia patients showed significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms after transitioning to risperidone long-acting injection. The study found that over one-third of patients experienced an improvement of more than 20% in the PANSS total score.
Researchers found that delta-9-THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, induced schizophrenia-like symptoms in some subjects. These symptoms included paranoia, thought disorder, and problems with memory and attention.
Cognitive impairments are a significant contributor to the disability associated with schizophrenia. Recent research indicates that medications currently available do little to remedy this aspect of the illness. New trials, part of the TURNS initiative, aim to develop new treatments for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that dysbindin protein expression is reduced in over 80% of patients with schizophrenia, correlating with increased glutamate packets. This discovery provides a critical lead for understanding schizophrenia's cellular mechanisms.
Researchers at Yale University developed an imaging test that identifies patients with schizophrenia with 97 percent accuracy. The test targets abnormalities in the auditory cortex and has potential as a powerful clinical tool for assessing schizophrenia.
Researchers found that a gene variation associated with schizophrenia may have an evolutionary advantage, promoting human survival. The HOPA12pb polymorphism is more common in men and may be involved in resistance to infection and infant survival.
Researchers found that patients taking newer antipsychotics had less than one-third the incidence of violent behavior compared to those on older conventional medications. The study, which followed 229 patients with schizophrenia for two years, suggests that these medications may be more effective in reducing violence.
A new study found that only 41% of schizophrenia patients take their antipsychotic medication on a regular basis. Non-adherence is linked to higher medical costs and hospitalizations, with African-Americans and Latino patients more likely to be non-adherent than Caucasians. Living independently or being homeless are also associated wit...
Researchers found a moderate link between celiac disease and schizophrenia, with individuals having celiac disease three times more likely to develop the condition. A gluten-free diet may be beneficial for those genetically prone to celiac disease but undiagnosed, according to lead author Dr. William W. Eaton.
A two-year study found that quetiapine treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Patients also showed notable enhancements in quality of life, with minimal reported side effects.
Studies find that prenatal exposure to lead, alcohol, and anesthetic drugs can cause brain damage in young adults. Research suggests that these substances trigger apoptosis, a form of cell death, by interfering with neural connections.
A new study demonstrates the benefits of Risperdal Consta in young adults with schizophrenia, improving symptoms and reducing side effects. The treatment showed significant satisfaction and improvement in health-related quality of life, making it a promising option for patients.
A Swedish study found that risperidone long-acting injection reduced hospital admissions by 23% and mean hospital stay duration by 35%. This results in significant cost savings for the healthcare system, with estimates suggesting up to €6,300 per patient annually.
A new study explores the potential of erythropoietin (EPO) as a neuroprotective agent for schizophrenia. EPO was found to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and enhance cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. The results suggest that EPO may be a promising compound for preventing loss of brain function in this disease.
Researchers used DTI to study adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia and found distinct differences in white brain matter of the frontal lobe. This disruption can lead to developmental abnormalities and abnormal behaviors.
A randomized, double-blinded study found no differences between olanzapine and haloperidol in reducing schizophrenia symptoms or improving quality of life. Olanzapine was associated with higher costs due to its high price tag, despite slightly better cognitive status and less restlessness.
Researchers discover that DARPP-32 interacts with multiple neurotransmitter systems to produce similar physiological symptoms in mice treated with LSD, PCP, and amphetamine. The findings provide new avenues for treating schizophrenia and suggest DARPP-32 as a critical regulator of neurotransmitters involved in mood and behavior.
A study found individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis had difficulty identifying smells before symptom onset. This discovery could lead to a new diagnostic tool and earlier treatment options for schizophrenia and other psychoses.
A four-year study found that Risperdal significantly reduces the risk of relapse in schizophrenia patients, with a 42% lower rate compared to haloperidol. Patients taking Risperdal remained relapse-free for an average of over 15 months, whereas those on haloperidol were free for only seven months.
A new study shows significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia when patients are switched to Risperdal Consta without a three-week overlap treatment period. The study found that side effects were mild to moderate, with extrapyramidal symptoms improving significantly by the first month.
A collaborative study between UGA and MCG investigated the cognitive effects of long-term use of newer schizophrenia drugs. The researchers found that while atypical antipsychotics cause fewer problems with movement disorders, their long-term impact on cognitive function is still unclear.
Studies suggest schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have reduced expression of genes responsible for myelin development in brain cells, potentially linked to environmental issues or infections. This discovery may enable early treatment before symptoms emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Research suggests that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share similar genetic causes, with key oligodendrocyte-related and myelin-related genes showing reduced expression in patients. This finding has implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms of these complex mental health conditions.
Research suggests that schizophrenia impairs habitual prospective memory, leading to high rates of non-adherence to medication. The study found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to forget to turn over a counter during an obstacle course test.
Researchers identify key genes and cellular pathways contributing to schizophrenia, providing new insights into the disorder's complex biology. The study's findings hold promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant in the calcineurin pathway that may be linked to schizophrenia. The study found that mice lacking this gene exhibited severe behavioral abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with the disorder, including hyperactivity and social withdrawal.
A study using PET scans found that schizophrenics have elevated dopamine receptor levels in both basal forebrain and SN/VTA areas of the brain. Differences were observed in cortical dopamine levels, supporting the hypothesis of dysregulated neurotransmission leading to abnormal regulation of neurons.
A team of researchers discovered a genetic break in human chromosome 14 affecting brain development and behavior. The broken gene may contribute to mental illness, including schizophrenia, in affected families. The study provides a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the complex disease.
Research supports the hypothesis that mesocortical dopamine function is impaired in schizophrenia, with decreased D2/3 receptor density associated with negative and general psychopathological symptoms. Age was also negatively correlated with D2/3 receptor density among controls.
A study found that a specific gene variant affects prefrontal brain function and response to amphetamine. People with the val/val variant had reduced prefrontal dopamine activity and less efficient information processing, while those with met/met had more efficient function but also faced cognitive decline when challenged.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has identified two overlapping genes on chromosome 13 as increasing susceptibility to bipolar disorder, affecting 2 million Americans. The same gene complex is also linked to an increased risk for schizophrenia.
A new virtual reality device re-creates hallucinations associated with schizophrenia, helping patients better understand their condition and adhere to medication. The technology also offers healthcare professionals a tool to assess treatment effectiveness, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Researchers studied 65 families with bipolar disorder and found strong genetic 'linkage' to specific regions on chromosomes 13 and 22, suggesting common genes contributing to both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. These overlap genes may explain why the same anti-psychotic medications are effective treatments for both diseases.
A study found that patients with schizophrenia experienced improved symptom management and reduced side effects when switching to Seroquel, including significant reductions in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores and Clinical Global Impression Severity of Illness ratings.
Research suggests that postnatal experiences can affect brain development and function in individuals with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder causing mental retardation, and schizophrenia, a severe emotional disorder. Abnormalities in synaptic pruning processes and neurotransmitter regulation are common to both conditions.
Researchers describe groundbreaking cognitive therapy approach that helps people with schizophrenia identify and challenge negative thoughts, leading to significant symptom reductions. The therapy, combined with medication, offers hope for those who have not responded to traditional treatments.
Researchers found that bupropion significantly reduced negative symptoms of schizophrenia, improving motivation and social relationships, while also aiding in nicotine addiction treatment for schizophrenic patients. The study showed better smoking cessation outcomes with newer atypical antipsychotic medications.
A new study found that combination therapy with divalproex can significantly reduce schizophrenia symptoms, even as early as the third day of treatment. The study showed that patients treated with the combination had better outcomes than those receiving antipsychotic drugs alone.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that Rh-incompatible mothers are more than twice as likely to have children with schizophrenia. The study mapped genetic data from 181 Finnish families and discovered a significant link between the RHD gene and schizophrenia risk.
A study found that an uncommon variation of the Nogo gene increases schizophrenia risk, particularly when inherited from both parents. One in five people with schizophrenia has this risk gene, and researchers hope to discover new related genes to aid diagnosis and treatment.
A nationwide brain imaging network will share data from patients with schizophrenia to expand understanding of the disease and develop new treatments. The project, led by Steven G. Potkin, aims to create a comprehensive database of brain images and advance research in brain disorders.
Researchers found three distinct clusters of patients with different memory and brain profile patterns, suggesting multiple disease mechanisms. The 'cortical' subtype showed temporal lobe pathology, while the 'subcortical' subtype featured frontal-striatal region issues.
The UNC Conte Center will conduct four interrelated studies using distinct research methods to identify critical brain events triggering the development of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. The center aims to explain how certain behavioral and neurobiological factors transform normal individuals into those with schizophrenia.