http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/schizophrenia/ Read current medical research on schizophrenia symptoms, medication and more. Browse feature health articles on schizophrenia treatments including anti-psychotic drugs. en-us Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:05:01 EST Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/schizophrenia/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030105026.htm Inflammatory response of brain cells -- as indicated by a molecular imaging technique -- could tell researchers more about why certain neurologic disorders, such as migraine headaches and psychosis in schizophrenic patients, occur and provide insight into how to best treat them, according to two new studies. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030105026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161526.htm Many pediatric and adolescent patients who received second-generation antipsychotic medications experienced significant weight gain, along with varied adverse effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels and other metabolic measures, according to a new study. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085308.htm Scientists report having used a commercially available drug to successfully "rescue" animal brain cells that they had intentionally damaged by manipulating a newly discovered gene that links susceptibility genes for schizophrenia and autism. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085308.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025162454.htm Researchers have identified a mutation on human chromosome 16 that substantially increases risk for schizophrenia. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025162454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026093725.htm A new study by researchers in the UK has discovered abnormalities in the white matter of the brain that seem to be critical for the timing of schizophrenia. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026093725.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020161954.htm Researchers say antiepilectic drug treatments administered when the brain is developing appear to trigger schizophrenia-like behavior in animal models. In humans, having a history of seizures in infancy is a significant risk factor for development of schizophrenia later in life, but it is not known whether the elevated risk is due to seizures themselves, or from side effects antiepileptic drug treatment. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020161954.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114313.htm Blocking the NMDA receptor in immature rats leads to profound, rapid brain injury and disruption of auditory function as the animals mature. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114313.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022101538.htm Last year the UK government reclassified cannabis from a class C to a class B drug, partly out of concerns that cannabis, especially the more potent varieties, may increase the risk of schizophrenia in young people. But the evidence for the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia or psychosis remains controversial. A new study has determined that it may be necessary to stop thousands of cannabis users in order to prevent a single case of schizophrenia. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022101538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112634.htm Researchers have found that the 22q11 gene deletion -- a mutation that confers the highest known genetic risk for schizophrenia -- is associated with changes in the development of the brain that ultimately affect how its circuit elements are assembled. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112634.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084214.htm Homicide of strangers by people with schizophrenia is so rare that is impossible to predict who might offend or when it might happen, say researchers. More than half of offenders in the study had never been treated for schizophrenia -- earlier treatment for the first episode of psychosis and good quality care could prevent some homicides, the study concludes. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923121445.htm Scientists now have a better understanding of a perplexing gene that is associated with susceptibility for a wide spectrum of severely debilitating mental illnesses. Two independent research studies provide fascinating insight into the molecular mechanisms that link disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) with the proper development and migration of neurons in the hippocampus, a brain area involved in learning and memory and associated with the pathology of schizophrenia. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923121445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908103636.htm A new study has identified another component in the chain of actions that take place in the neurons in the process of forming memories. This discovery joins a line of findings from previous studies that together provide a better understanding of the most complex processes in nature -- the process of memory formation and storage in the human brain. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908103636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907162304.htm In the first functional magnetic resonance imaging study of its kind, neurologists and psychiatrists have identified an area of the brain involved in the earliest stages of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Activity in this specific region of the hippocampus may help predict the onset of the disease, offering opportunities for earlier diagnosis and for the development of drugs for schizophrenia prevention. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907162304.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810221407.htm A new study demonstrates that there is an association between schizophrenia and violence, but shows that this association is greatly increased by drug and alcohol abuse. Importantly, the study also finds that the risk of violence from patients with psychoses who also have substance use disorder is no greater than those who have a substance use disorder but who do not have a psychotic illness. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810221407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174305.htm Northwestern researchers have discovered that schizophrenia symptoms -- which begin to develop in adolescents -- are caused by a low level of a brain protein necessary to build pathways between neurons. Without enough of the protein, there are too few roads for information to flow between neurons -- causing a traffic jam in the brain. This discovery provides a fresh target for treatment. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721113305.htm Two recent publications focus on the role of Disc1 in development, particularly the migration of cells to their proper location in the brain and subsequent differentiation into their intended fate. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721113305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709095431.htm Researchers are producing topographical maps of people's healthy and schizophrenic brains in an effort to develop the first scientific tool for early and more definite diagnosis of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. The scientists have already found differences in the hippocampus in people who have schizophrenia. Diagnosing the beginning stage of mental disorders remains elusive, although this when they are most treatable. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709095431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701135533.htm Researchers have, for the first time, identified additional genes that confirm what scientists have long suspected -- that the immune system may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Further, they have also identified genetic anomalies that disrupt the cellular pathways involved in brain development, memory and cognition, all markers of schizophrenia. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701135533.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131303.htm Scientists have discovered that many common genetic variants contribute to a person's risk of schizophrenia, providing the first molecular evidence that this form of genetic variation is involved in schizophrenia. The researchers also found that many of these DNA variations also are involved in bipolar disorder but not in several nonpsychiatric diseases. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131303.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131309.htm Scientists have shown, for the first time, that modern genetic technologies can solve the riddle of how gene variations lead to schizophrenia. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074512.htm New research concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is of no value in schizophrenia and has limited effect on depression. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194346.htm Answering a phone call while cooking dinner ... walking to work while texting ... driving while listening to the radio -- all without having to think about it. After plenty of practice, people can do a lot of things on automatic pilot and simultaneously. However, for people with schizophrenia that is a different story. Researchers investigated whether a disruption to the automation process, learning by repetition to do something on automatic pilot, explains why people with schizophrenia can process less information. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194346.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622130748.htm Researchers have used a novel form of brain imaging to discover that white matter in the brains of adolescents at-risk of developing schizophrenia does not develop at the same rate as healthy people. Further, the extent of these alterations can be used to predict how badly patients will, or will not, deteriorate functionally over time. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622130748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622064815.htm People with schizophrenia have a 50 percent higher risk of death from cancer compared to people in the general population. The study's results suggest that extra efforts should be made to improve cancer prevention and early detection in patients with schizophrenia. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622064815.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615203104.htm Neurological diseases including Parkinson's, Tourette's, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's and schizophrenia are all associated with alterations in dopamine-driven function involving the dopamine transporter (DAT). Researchers suggest that a number of estrogens acting through their receptors affect the DAT, which may explain trends in timing of women's susceptibility to these diseases. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615203104.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609073032.htm When mothers become infected with influenza during their pregnancy, it may increase the risk for schizophrenia in their offspring. Influenza is a very common virus and so there has been substantial concern about this association. A new study suggests that the observed association depends upon a pre-existing vulnerability in the fetus. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609073032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603091133.htm Until now diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been difficult to study biologically, since this would entail taking samples from the patient’s brain. But new research findings show that it is just as good to study a certain type of skin cells, since they function in a way that is similar to a type of brain cells that are suspected of playing a major role in both disorders. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603091133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526094253.htm Statins, a commonly prescribed class of drugs used by millions worldwide to effectively lower blood cholesterol levels, may actually have a negative impact in multiple sclerosis patients treated with high daily dosages. Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526094253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134826.htm A new protein identified as critical to insulating the wiring that connects the brain and body could one day be a treatment target for divergent diseases, from rare ones that lower the pain threshold to cancer, researchers say. Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134826.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172105.htm The increased risk of persons with schizophrenia committing violent crime may be largely mediated by co-existing substance abuse problems, according to a new study. Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519104109.htm Studying the way a person's brain "sings" could improve our understanding of conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia and help develop better treatments, scientists have discovered. Tue, 19 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519104109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513173545.htm Significant and widespread cognitive problems appear to exist in schizophrenia in its earliest phase, making it very hard for people with the disorder to work, study or be social, according to a new study. Mon, 18 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513173545.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506094218.htm A study on schizophrenia has implicated machinery that maintains the flow of potassium in cells and revealed a potential molecular target for new treatments. Expression of a previously unknown form of a key potassium channel was found to be 2.5 fold higher than normal in the brain memory hub of people with the chronic mental illness and a hotspot of genetic variation. Wed, 06 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506094218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144703.htm For some time now it has been known that certain hereditary factors enhance the risk of schizophrenia or a manic-depressive disorder. However, just how this occurs had remained obscure. Researchers are now able to answer this question, at least for one common genetic variant: this impairs the interoperation of certain regions of the brain. Fri, 01 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144703.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420141157.htm Compounds that activate two specific CNS receptors, causing them to release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, are effective in treating the cognitive and motor problems related to both schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease can cause gastrointestinal and other side effects. Thanks to the discovery of a truly selective agonist that targets only the M1 receptor, this may change. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420141157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420151234.htm Key processes in the brain that control the emotional significance of our experiences and how we form memories of them. A lack of proper brain function in this area is what lies beneath such conditions as schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420151234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406102557.htm Patients with schizophrenia are able to correctly see through an illusion known as the 'hollow mask' illusion, probably because their brain disconnects "what the eyes see" from what "the brain thinks it is seeing," according to researchers. The findings shed light on why cannabis users may also be less deceived by the illusion whilst on the drug. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406102557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402143748.htm Researchers have shed light on how the neurotransmitter dopamine helps brain cells process important information. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402143748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409103342.htm Scientists have successfully created, from human embryonic stem (ES) cells, cells that can make myelin, opening up new possibilities for basic and clinical research. Myelin loss, as occurs in multiple sclerosis, stops nerves from working with devastating consequences. Creating these cells has long been a challenge partly because they take an unexpectedly long time to develop from human ES cells. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409103342.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407105154.htm Geneticists have identified a specific DNA change that is likely to increase risk for developing schizophrenia in some people. It provides a potential mechanism that may be a point of entry for drug therapy. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407105154.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330165808.htm People with schizophrenia are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, researchers have found. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330165808.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326085226.htm Antipsychotic drugs, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal) and quetiapine (Seroquel), are commonly used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, but also bipolar disorder and even behavioral problems related to dementia. Unfortunately, the weight gain commonly experienced with antipsychotic treatment is an important side effect for many patients, and causes many patients to discontinue their use leading to even further problems. A new add-on treatment has the potential to reduce treatment-associated weight gain. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326085226.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132328.htm A study carried out in Spain has analyzed the characteristics of the psychosis provoked by the continuous consumption of cannabis. The research was carried out with a sample of 92 patients with episodes of psychosis, and confirmed that, in those patients with a normal neuronal development who suffered psychotic episodes, 66 percent were cannabis users. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132328.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319224552.htm A new study has found that a gene called DISC1 -- known to play a role in the development of mental illness -- may control the way some patients respond to psychiatric medication. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319224552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319132923.htm Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have found that inhibiting a key brain enzyme in mice reversed schizophrenia-like symptoms. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319132923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085151.htm Scientists have discovered how the toxoplasmosis parasite may trigger the development of schizophrenia and other bipolar disorders. They have shown that the parasite may play a role in the development of these disorders by affecting the production of dopamine -- the chemical that relays messages in the brain controlling aspects of movement, cognition and behavior. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304124354.htm A recent study in Oregon suggests that drugs designed for treating the most severe mental illnesses are often prescribed at inappropriately low doses and at considerable expense, for use in conditions where their benefit has not been established. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304124354.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303082811.htm Schizophrenia could be caused by faulty signaling in the brain, according to new research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. In the biggest study of its kind, scientists looking in detail at brain samples donated by people with the condition have identified 49 genes that work differently in the brains of schizophrenia patients compared to controls. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303082811.htm