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 Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:05:02 EDT Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:05:02 EDT 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/2009/07/090701131303.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/2009/07/090701135533.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. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701135533.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 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219121329.htm Disrupting the function of a key molecule in the brain leads to microscopic brain abnormalities and schizophrenia-like behavior in mice. These abnormalities are similar to those seen in the autopsied brains of people who diagnosed with schizophrenia in life, according to a scientists. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219121329.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220092636.htm Researchers have known that the brain has a remarkable ability to "reprogram" itself to compensate for problems such as traumatic injury. Now, a research article published in the journal Genetics suggests that the brain might also compensate for problems with key neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This may open the doors to entirely new lines of research and treatments for disorders like addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220092636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132245.htm New research reveals a sophisticated brain mechanism that is critical for filtering out irrelevant signals during demanding cognitive tasks. The study also provides some insight into how disruption of key inhibitory pathways may contribute to schizophrenia. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205214400.htm A new study shows that schizophrenia is caused, at least in part, by large, rare structural changes in DNA referred to as copy number variants -- not the tiny, single letter alterations (single nucleotide polymorphisms that scientists have pursued for years. Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205214400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203145504.htm Researchers are one gene closer to understanding schizophrenia and related disorders. Scientists describe how a variation in the neuregulin 3 gene influences delusions associated with schizophrenia. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203145504.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122202755.htm Non-verbal communication, in the form of facial expressions, may be impaired in people with schizophrenia. Researchers writing in Behavioral and Brain Functions have shown that deficits in non-verbal expressivity in schizophrenia are linked to poor social skills and an unawareness of the thoughts and intentions of others. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122202755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090120145316.htm Schizophrenia may blur the boundary between internal and external realities by overactivating a brain system that is involved in self-reflection, and thus causing an exaggerated focus on self, a new brain imaging study has found. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090120145316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090116073803.htm Lack of grey matter in the brain is linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A new study shows that adolescents experiencing a first outbreak of psychosis have lower levels of gray matter in their brains than healthy teenagers. Strangely, this change was seen in patients suffering from various psychoses, including bipolar illness and schizophrenia. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090116073803.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081216114746.htm The first month of pregnancy forms the basis for disrupted development that can have life-long implications. Schizophrenia and autism probably share a common origin, hypothesizes researchers following an extensive literature study. A developmental psychologist has demonstrated that both mental diseases have similar physical abnormalities which are formed during the first month of pregnancy. For example, both autistics and schizophrenics sometimes have protruding ears and peculiar toes. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081216114746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201105704.htm In one of the first instances of targeted drug design in psychiatric treatment, researchers have found an experimental agent that shows promise in addressing working memory impairments that occur in the schizophrenia. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201105704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118161247.htm New research has traced elevated levels of a specific compound in the brain to problem-solving deficits in patients with schizophrenia. The finding suggests that drugs used to suppress the compound, called kynurenic acid, might be an important supplement to antipsychotic medicines, as these adjuncts could be used to treat the disorder's most resistant symptoms -- cognitive impairments. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118161247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118200547.htm Men and women who have tried to kill themselves and are suffering from unipolar disorder (major depression), bipolar disorder (manic depression) or schizophrenia are at a very high risk of committing suicide within a year of their first attempt, concludes a new study. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118200547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107143757.htm Scientists are giving what may be the first look at how interactions between genes underlie a key symptom of schizophrenia, impaired working memory. Functional imaging studies reveal how a combination of common variants in two genes is associated with reduced activity of important brain structures in schizophrenia patients but not in normal controls. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107143757.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081111142604.htm Psychologists are studying young adults at risk for developing a psychotic disorder with the goal of identifying more precise predictors for psychosis and a better understanding of the neural mechanisms involved. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081111142604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081109193355.htm Women with a history of serious mental illness are much more likely to have babies that are stillborn or die within the first month of life, new research reveals. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081109193355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105180809.htm Research could expand the options for controlling schizophrenia by identifying a brain region that responds to more than one type of antipsychotic drug. The findings illustrate for the first time that the orbitofrontal cortex could be a promising target for developing future antipsychotic drugs -- even those that have very different mechanisms of action. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105180809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027115427.htm Is schizophrenia a disorder of glutamate hyperactivity or hypoactivity? While the predominant hypothesis for many years was that schizophrenia was a glutamate deficit disorder, there is growing evidence of glutamate hyperactivity as well. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027115427.htm