Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
A genetic study of schizophrenia in South African Xhosa individuals reveals a higher prevalence of rare damaging mutations in those with the disorder. The findings provide insights into the universal nature of human biology and can inform new treatments for schizophrenia.
A University of Georgia psychologist's study confirms that treating avolition, a motivation-related symptom, improves other negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The results suggest targeting this domain could improve overall negative symptoms and reduce functional disability.
A University of Miami study has found that the profiles of genes influencing cognition are similar across people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the general population. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for improving cognitive function in patients with severe mental illness.
Researchers detect lower levels of a protein found in brain connections in people with schizophrenia, which could underlie cognitive difficulties and provide targets for new treatments. The study's findings suggest that loss of synapses may be linked to the development of schizophrenia.
A study found that an overactive immune system gene causes schizophrenia-like changes in mice, including neural and behavioral aspects of the disease. The researchers suggest that this gene may be contributing to the development of schizophrenia through mis-regulated synaptic pruning.
A 20-year study found that long-term antipsychotic treatment significantly reduced mortality in people with schizophrenia compared to those without medication. The study also showed no increased risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease among those receiving antipsychotic therapy.
A study of 1.3 million people found shared genetic factors between body mass index and major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which contributes to a shorter life expectancy among those with psychiatric disorders.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to high levels of air pollution during childhood are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study showed an increased risk of approximately 20% for every 10 μg/m3 increase in daily average air pollution.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that being around dogs from an early age may have a health benefit, decreasing the chance of developing schizophrenia as an adult. However, no significant link was found between dogs and bipolar disorder or cats and either psychiatric disorder.
A new hypothesis identifies a common link between schizophrenia and pellagra, suggesting that some people with psychosis in poorer nations may have a vitamin B3 deficiency. This could lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and potential cure of psychosis through niacin supplementation.
A new study by UNC researchers found that using a polygenic risk score (PRS) improves psychosis risk prediction in persons meeting clinical high-risk criteria. The PRS, developed from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), discriminates persons with schizophrenia from unaffected individuals and predicts future psychosis.
A study of over 24,000 Swedish adults found that those with a family history of schizophrenia and lower IQ are more likely to experience treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The condition is associated with higher risk for suicide and significant health costs.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that tobacco smoking may increase the risk of developing depression and schizophrenia. The researchers used UK Biobank data from 462,690 individuals and applied Mendelian randomization to analyze the association between smoking and mental illness.
A study found that a subtype of schizophrenia is related to abnormal hydrogen sulfide levels in the brain, which can act as a biomarker. Higher than normal levels of the enzyme Mpst were detected in postmortem brains and hair follicles from people with schizophrenia.
Researchers discovered a link between SETD1A gene mutations and schizophrenia risk in mice. Restoring the gene's function reversed behavioral and neuronal abnormalities, suggesting potential treatment strategies.
Researchers create wireless device to objectively assess social behavior and physical distance of people with schizophrenia, aiming to personalize treatment options. The device uses acoustic signals and GPS capabilities to collect data, which will be analyzed to find correlations with symptoms.
A large-scale study implicates 10 new genes in the development of schizophrenia, providing insights into the genetic underpinnings of the disorder. The findings also suggest a connection between schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers restored normal working memory to a mouse model of schizophrenia, eliminating a core symptom that has proven virtually impossible to treat. The findings, published in Neuron, hold immense promise for treating over 21 million people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Researchers found significantly reduced mu-opioid receptor levels in schizophrenia patients' brains, contributing to negative feelings. This discovery provides a promising new lead for developing treatments for the condition.
Researchers found that patients with schizophrenia who experienced auditory hallucinations had abnormal tonotopic organization of the auditory cortex, established in infancy. This suggests that the vulnerability to develop 'voices' is probably established many years before symptoms begin.
Researchers discovered that gene expression regulators work together to raise an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia. The study found that modeled gene expression changes matched those found in patients' brains, highlighting the importance of considering complex genetic interactions in psychiatric disorders.
A study has identified TCF4 as a master regulator of schizophrenia during early human brain development. The gene is believed to play a crucial role in the disease's underlying genomic biology. Researchers hope that this discovery will pave the way for new treatments and precision medicine approaches.
A prize has been awarded to researchers who investigated an experimental schizophrenia drug that didn't improve cognitive function but had a good safety profile. The study will inform the development of other treatments for patients with schizophrenia, including potential applications in other disease areas.
A dietary supplement called sarcosine may help people with schizophrenia by improving glutamate receptor function. Researchers urge clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness and establish guidelines for its use.
A world-first review of 10,951 people with mental health disorders found strong evidence for omega-3 supplements as an add-on treatment for major depression. Emerging evidence also supports N-acetylcysteine and certain folate supplements for mood disorders and schizophrenia.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia employ different brain circuits to overcome initial lack of understanding, leading to increased brain activity in certain areas. The study aims to develop practical skills to help patients with schizophrenia understand metaphors in everyday speech.
The study reveals that auditory sensory gating filtering begins at the brainstem, contradicting earlier hypotheses. This finding has significant implications for understanding schizophrenia, a condition characterized by difficulty prioritizing and ranking sounds.
A new study found that schizophrenia's neurobiological mechanisms vary between males and females, with many genes related to the illness expressed differently in each. This suggests that sex-specific treatments may be necessary to address the different underlying causes of schizophrenia in males and females.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that refugees may be at higher risk of developing nonaffective psychosis, including several types of schizophrenia, compared to natives or nonrefugee migrants in host countries. The study analyzed data from over 540,000 refugees in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Canada.
Researchers have found that gene expression patterns in the brain are highly disrupted in people with schizophrenia, suggesting a link to the disease's molecular mechanisms. The study's findings could help researchers better understand schizophrenia and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Scientists at the University at Buffalo have successfully wirelessly controlled a key gene involved in human growth, opening up possibilities for new cancer treatments and mental disorder therapies. The study uses tiny photonic implants to manipulate FGFR1, a gene that plays a crucial role in human development.
Researchers suggest that viruses hiding in our DNA could be causing some of our deadliest neurological diseases. Studies link HERV reactivation to autoimmune attacks in multiple sclerosis and peripheral demyelinating disease CIDP.
A joint Australian-Indian study has identified a new genetic variation associated with schizophrenia, found in over 3000 individuals. The research highlights the importance of studying diverse populations to understand the complex causes of the disease.
A recent study found that the brain becomes desensitized to background motion, making it easier to distinguish smaller moving objects in the foreground. Older adults can improve their motion segregation abilities through visual training, narrowing the gap with younger counterparts.
Research from RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that betaine supplementation can counteract psychiatric symptoms in mice, including depressive behaviors and reduced oxidative stress. The study also identified a genetic variant predicting betaine's treatment efficacy, a potential example of precision medicine in psychiatry.
Researchers found abnormal proteins in brains of people with schizophrenia, similar to those seen in Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. These misfolded proteins affect nervous system development and neural communication, consistent with theories of schizophrenia's origins.
Researchers at UNIGE discovered that the development of the hippocampus, responsible for memory and emotions, is severely impacted in adolescence following the onset of psychotic symptoms. The study suggests that a 'second hit' later in development may determine further hippocampal atrophy and psychotic symptom emergence.
A Danish study reveals that patients with both schizophrenia and epilepsy are at risk of dying before the age of fifty. The study found a significantly higher mortality rate among this group, with 27.2% of those with both conditions passing away between ages 25-50.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that a broccoli sprout compound can restore the brain's glutamate balance, which is linked to schizophrenia. The study suggests that supplementing with sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli sprouts, may reduce the need for traditional antipsychotic medications.
A newly discovered epigenetic hotspot in the genome may drive psychosis in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, potentially leading to new treatment targets and biomarkers. The hotspot affects dopamine production and synaptic development, which are critical regulators of brain function.
Research by the University of Saskatchewan found that exposure to inflammation during pregnancy alters brain development, predisposing offspring to psychiatric illness like schizophrenia. Young adult rats exposed to a simulated viral infection displayed abnormal behavior, reduced working memories, and altered fear responses.
A team of UC students used a novel approach called Network Assisted Genomic Association (NAGA) to identify schizophrenia genes from terabytes of data. The technique outperformed previously published methods and ran the analysis in under five minutes.
Research found that offspring born to couples married for less than three years have a 50% increase in risk for schizophrenia, while longer marriage duration is associated with a 14% reduction in risk. The study controlled for paternal age and psychiatric disorders.
A randomized controlled trial found that texting patients with schizophrenia improved medication adherence by 27%, reducing relapses and re-hospitalizations. The LEAN program, which combines lay health supporters and mobile texting, was effective in resource-poor settings.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice found that about half of patients referred to a specialized schizophrenia clinic were misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Anxiety and hearing voices were common reasons for incorrect diagnoses, highlighting the importance of second opinions from psychiatry specialists.
A team of scientists has identified 104 high-risk genes for schizophrenia, which may lead to the development of targeted treatments. The study's framework could also help track down genetic suspects in other complex diseases.
A study by SISSA investigated the decision-making processes of healthy subjects with sub-clinical psychotic episodes, finding alterations similar to those in schizophrenia patients. The research highlights reduced motivation, emotional dysregulation, and delusions as possible indicators of vulnerability to psychosis.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have created a new animal model of schizophrenia that specifically targets elevated dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum. This model enables scientists to test potential therapeutics and explore the basic changes in brain circuitry that contribute to the disease.
The study identifies 30 genes associated with schizophrenia, revealing their impact on brain structure and function. These findings could lead to new drug targets for the treatment of the disease.
A recent study found that advanced paternal age significantly increases the risk of early-onset schizophrenia in offspring, with a 30% higher risk for every 10-year delay. The association remains after accounting for parental predisposition to schizophrenia, suggesting an independent role of paternal age.
Researchers at Mount Sinai identified 413 genetic associations with schizophrenia across 13 brain regions, shedding light on the disease's mechanisms. Abnormal gene expression in specific brain areas contributes to increased risk of schizophrenia.
A Rutgers study found that clinicians are more likely to misdiagnose African-Americans with schizophrenia, overlooking depressive symptoms and emphasizing psychotic ones instead. The study suggests a need for screening major depression when assessing black patients for schizophrenia.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate the importance of NDEL1 genes in treating schizophrenia. They found that suppressing these genes may be linked to resistance to certain antipsychotic drugs.
A case study by North Carolina State University researchers reveals that an adolescent diagnosed with rapid onset schizophrenia was actually infected with Bartonella henselae, leading to full recovery after treatment. The discovery suggests a potential link between bacterial infections and mental disorders.
Researchers at Cardiff University found that genetic neutropenia is a benign condition in people of African descent that can lead to lower neutrophil levels. This allows more individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia to receive the medication clozapine without risk of rare side effects.
Researchers found that nearly one-third of persons with schizophrenia had 'normal' wisdom scores, which correlated with fewer psychotic symptoms, improved cognitive performance, and enhanced everyday functioning. Assessing and enhancing wisdom may help improve the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that individuals with schizophrenia exhibit excessive synaptic pruning, a process normally occurring during adolescence. This abnormality contributes to the development of schizophrenia symptoms.
Schizophrenia's negative symptoms, including loss of motivation and social communication, are linked to a breakdown in brain network connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Non-invasive brain stimulation restored this network's function, improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
A genome-wide study found that copy number variants (CNVs) are more closely associated with a 'schizophrenia-like' bipolar disorder subtype than the broader form of bipolar disorder. This suggests a distinct mechanism underlying the biology of schizoaffective disorder, which shares symptoms with schizophrenia.
Research implicates genetic variants affecting NMDAR functioning as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Variants in four genes, including GRIN1 and GRIN2B, were found to be more common in people with schizophrenia.