Articles tagged with Schizophrenia
A new study suggests that disruptions in certain regions of the visuospatial working memory network may lead to its impairment in schizophrenia. The precise balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is altered, leading to impaired visuospatial working memory.
Researchers aim to identify brain mechanisms related to psychosis by studying corollary discharge signals in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They will use an fMRI scanner to investigate the oculomotor system, which is thought to support a subjective sense of agency in these patients.
Vanderbilt University and Lundbeck are collaborating on a novel approach to treating schizophrenia. The Vanderbilt compounds, developed with support from the National Institute of Mental Health, have shown antipsychotic-like effects and improved cognitive performance in animal models.
A Baylor University study found that combining biological and non-biological beliefs about mental illness causes can lead to increased stigma. The researchers suggest that addressing these complex views in public campaigns and policy initiatives could help reduce stigma, particularly for conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
Dr. Amelia Gallitano, a UA College of Medicine - Phoenix faculty member, has received a $175,000 grant to develop the first diagnostic test for schizophrenia. The test aims to determine whether an individual has schizophrenia or a specific subtype by leveraging genes activated in response to environmental events.
Researchers identified rare genetic variations in Thorase protein associated with schizophrenia, reversed anti-social behavior in mice using perampanel. The study provides preliminary support for Thorase's role in behavioral disorders.
A new therapy called Social Recovery Therapy has shown promising results in helping young people with schizophrenia to reconnect and engage with the world around them. The therapy involves identifying personally meaningful goals and setting up day-to-day achievable activities, significantly increasing social interaction.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found that individuals with schizophrenia's own perceptions of their experiences can influence treatment outcomes. Cognitive insight, measured by the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, is a significant predictor of neurocognition and not vice versa.
A study published on Scientific Reports reveals that hand preference is already defined at the 18th week of gestation. Foetal kinematics analysis predicts manual dominance with an accuracy of 89-100% in boys and girls, which may lead to early recognition of pathologies like depression, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.
Research from Australia's NICM Health Research Institute finds large nutritional deficits in blood levels of critical nutrients among individuals with early psychosis. Vitamin B9 (folate) and D were found to be particularly low, associated with poorer mental health outcomes.
A randomised controlled trial found that avatar therapy was more effective at reducing hallucinations at 12-week follow-up, and had a large effect size. Patients who received avatar therapy experienced rapid improvements in their symptoms, with some reports of complete disappearance after 12 weeks.
New research from Duke University reveals that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating the development and function of synapses in the brain. The study found that three proteins control the web-like structure of each astrocyte, which directly impacts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural connections.
Long-term administration of antipsychotic drugs can worsen schizophrenia outcomes if patients consume substances like nicotine and alcohol or drugs like cannabis and amphetamines. However, measures such as administering long-acting injectable antipsychotics and psychoeducation can improve adherence and reduce substance abuse.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awarded nine outstanding scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. John M. Davis and Deanna L. Kelly were recognized for their innovative research on schizophrenia treatment and prevention.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder received similar or higher rates of preventive health screenings compared to those without mental illnesses. The study examined over 800,000 patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest health system and foun...
A large international study found that schizophrenia affects the entire brain's communication system, with frayed white matter wiring evident throughout. The study's findings could lead to the identification of biomarkers for treatment and a better understanding of the disease's causes.
Researchers found that abnormalities in the brain's blood-brain barrier may play a critical role in schizophrenia development. This discovery could lead to novel treatment strategies targeting abnormal brain blood vessels, complementing existing treatments.
A large twin study suggests that genetic factors contribute to nearly 80% of schizophrenia risk. Researchers used a new statistical approach to estimate heritability and found a similar result when considering related disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum.
A genetic variant associated with multiple psychiatric disorders is linked to changes in a brain network that may increase an individual's risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The variant affects the expression of the SNAP25 protein, impacting information processing between brain regions involved in regulating emotions.
A study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that elevated kynurenine levels disrupt sleep, leading to cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The discovery could lead to new treatments targeting kynurenine's role in the disease.
A recent study identified a gene associated with schizophrenia risk that plays a critical role in early brain development. The gene, ZNF804A, regulates essential processes such as protein translation and neuronal migration. Understanding its function could lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.
A large Ontario study found people with schizophrenia died 8 years earlier than the general population, with a 35% decrease in death rates. The high mortality risk is attributed to factors such as limited access to healthcare and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
A new Ontario study found that people with schizophrenia are dying younger due to poorer physical health care over their lifespan. The study showed that individuals with schizophrenia had higher rates of death from cardiovascular diseases and chronic medical conditions.
A recent study found a 37% increase in the gap between the average lifespan of people with schizophrenia and the general population. Longitudinal studies suggest that this widening trend is due to factors such as inadequate healthcare, unhealthy lifestyles, and biological aging.
Researchers have developed a 20-minute test to assess cognitive capacities of patients with schizophrenia, including short-term memory and organisational skills. The test, known as EPICOG-SCH, allows for improved daily functioning and can be easily administered by healthcare professionals.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered a rare genetic variant, RTN4R, that may play a fundamental role in schizophrenia. This finding supports the hypothesis that myelin-related genes are associated with the disease.
A new paper defines 50 term pairs in psychology, including envy/jealousy and disease/illness, to improve psychological literacy. The list helps distinguish between related concepts, such as punishment vs. negative reinforcement, antisocial vs. asocial behavior.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered that prenatal lack of DHA and AA fatty acids can lead to offspring developing schizophrenic-like symptoms as adults. The study found epigenetic changes in gene expression, affecting nuclear receptor genes and oligodendrocyte-related genes, which may be traced back to DNA methylation.
A long-term study on schizophrenia patients found that low cumulative exposure to benzodiazepine and antidepressant medications has no significant effect on cognition. However, high-dose use of antipsychotic drugs was associated with poorer cognitive functioning, while a break in treatment was linked to better outcomes.
A new study in mice has found that disruptions to the brain's center for spatial navigation, known as internal GPS, result in severe memory deficits seen in schizophrenia. This discovery offers promising avenues for drug intervention and treatment, targeting a near-universal symptom of the disorder.
A study associates schizophrenia with defective processing of messenger RNA in cells, suggesting a link between the spliceosome complex and brain dysfunctions. The researchers found altered proteins in two brain regions, including those involved in calcium-mediated signaling and myelination.
Researchers have identified a specific brain area involved in 'hearing voices' in schizophrenia and found that targeting it with high-frequency magnetic pulses can improve symptoms. In a controlled trial, 34.6% of patients showed significant response to treatment, while only 9.1% of controls did.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid switch in the CX3CR1 receptor as a potential marker for predicting schizophrenia and autism. The variant affects microglia function and could lead to predictive diagnostics, offering new hope for asymptomatic patient screening.
The Blink Reflexometer device detects changes in blinking patterns to identify concussions and neurological disorders like Parkinson's, Huntington's, and schizophrenia. The technology aims to provide a portable, rugged, and fast aid for trainers to make objective calls about player safety.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding that an amino acid called methionine may play a crucial role in the development of schizophrenia. Excess methionine during pregnancy has been shown to alter fetal brain development, leading to changes in gene expression and potentially life-long consequences.
A study by the University of Manchester found that a pharmacy service, launched in 2011, improves patient medicine adherence and translates to increased health gain at reduced overall cost. The New Medicine Service has saved NHS England £517.6m in its first five years.
A study by EPFL scientists found that schizophrenia patients do not have a disturbed sense of body ownership. The study used the Full-Body Illusion test and showed that patients performed similarly to healthy controls, indicating that their sense of body ownership is unaffected by the disorder.
Researchers at King's College London found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive performance, particularly in working memory and executive functioning, in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests that tDCS may be a promising new treatment for the condition's cognitive deficits.
New study finds that human brain cells from individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia disrupt communication in mice, exhibiting anti-social and anxious behaviors. The researchers suggest that glial cell dysfunction is a primary contributor to the disease.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that genetic defects in glial cells may lead to schizophrenia by impairing myelin production and neural network formation. The research uses mouse models with human glial cells to demonstrate the defective glial cells' role in brain disorders.
A new study found that people carrying certain genetic alterations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may experience impaired cognition, despite not developing a disorder. The research provides valuable insights into the effects of these genetic abnormalities on cognition in adults from the general population.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory nerve cell, are unaltered in schizophrenia patients, challenging prior findings of GABA deficits. The researchers suspect a developmental origin for the abnormality, which could have implications for treating brain disorders.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that specific antipsychotic agents and routes of administration impact the risk of rehospitalization and treatment failure among patients with schizophrenia. The research highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes.
A UCLA study found that people with a 22q deletion have thicker gray matter but less brain surface area compared to those with a duplication. In contrast, those with 22q duplications have thinner gray matter and larger brain surface areas, suggesting differences in social functioning regions.
Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam identified 52 genes associated with intelligence, including 40 previously unknown discoveries. The study reveals a correlation between genetic influences on intelligence and educational attainment, as well as traits like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
Neuroscientists at Tufts University have discovered a new signaling pathway that connects two major receptors in the brain associated with learning and memory. Astrocytes play a key role in regulating this pathway by sensing wakefulness and releasing chemicals that activate these receptors.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers links cannabis use in adolescence to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The research found that psychoactive compound THC triggers brain defects associated with the disorder in genetically susceptible individuals.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that valbenazine can significantly reduce tardive dyskinesia symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorder. The medication showed a 50% improvement rate compared to the placebo group.
Researchers at Columbia University found that haphazard neural activity in mice with schizophrenia symptoms may underlie the disease. The study suggests that disruptions in small networks of neurons could produce characteristic psychosis symptoms.
Researchers found that Candida yeast infections contribute to bowel difficulties in men with schizophrenia. Probiotics also decreased delusions and hallucinations in participants without a history of yeast infections. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings and determine their effectiveness for women with schizophrenia.
A balance test that stimulates part of the brain with cold water has shown promising results in improving insight into illness in people with schizophrenia. The study found that cold water in one ear increased patients' awareness and insight into their condition, while cold water in the other ear worsened it.
A study from the University of Iowa Health Care found that cerebellar stimulation in rats with schizophrenia-like thinking problems restored normal brain activity in the frontal cortex and corrected timing deficits. The researchers used optogenetics to stimulate the rats' cerebellar region, which led to improved cognitive function.
A study of veterans with schizophrenia found that only 23% drank any alcohol in the past 30 days, but those who misused alcohol experienced worsening symptoms. The findings suggest there is no safe level of alcohol use for people with schizophrenia.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
Researchers analyzed genetic profiles of nearly 13,000 ALS/MND cases and over 30,000 schizophrenia cases, confirming that many associated genes are the same. The study reveals a 14% overlap in genetic susceptibility between the two conditions.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that patients with schizophrenia have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA and altered immune cell function. These findings provide new clues to the disease mechanisms of schizophrenia, but follow-up studies are needed to determine if these changes are causes or effects.
Researchers have identified a new way to distinguish between schizophrenia and depression using proteins in nerve cells. The method measures the level of hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) released in response to salt solution, which can indicate NMDA receptor signalling. This test may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as we...
Researchers identified sections of DNA associated with altered gene expression in schizophrenia, pointing to alternative splicing as a contributing mechanism. The study found four disease susceptibility genes impacted through splicing regulation, including NEK4 and FXR1.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered a common genomic pathway that may be responsible for schizophrenia. By studying skin cells from four adults with schizophrenia, they found a dysregulated gene program that affects over 1,000 genes and can lead to the development of the disease.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh found a potential inverse relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis, with eight genes showing opposing effects on risk. The study suggests that immune system dysfunction may play a role in both disorders.