FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 12, 2024·4 min readHigh Doses of ADHD Meds Linked to Increased Psychosis RiskAdults taking high doses of amphetamine-based medications for ADHD, such as Adderall, face a five-fold increased risk of developing psychosis or mania. The risk was highest for those taking 30 mg or more of dextroamphetamine, with 81% of psychosis or mania cases potentially avoidable by lowering the dose.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 22, 2024·4 min readPsychosis Cognitive Impairment Linked to Brain NetworkNew research reveals that cognitive impairments in psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are connected to brain network organization. This connection is evident even before the first psychotic break in at-risk individuals, offering potential for early diagnosis and intervention. The study highlights a novel brain network-cognition relationship that could lead to targeted treatments for these often treatment-resistant symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 22, 2024·4 min readBrain Coupling May Predict PsychosisIndividuals with the 22q11.2DS genetic deletion show unique patterns of brain activity and structure, which could predict their risk of psychosis. By studying brain "coupling" from childhood to adulthood, scientists discovered discrepancies in brain regions linked to schizophrenia.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 7, 2024·6 min readCat Scratch Bacteria Bartonella Linked to PsychosisAdults with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are three times more likely to have Bartonella DNA in their blood than those without these conditions. This suggests that vector-borne pathogens like Bartonella could play a role in mental illness.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 22, 2024·4 min readStrong Link Between Teen Cannabis Use and Psychosis RiskA new study finds a strong association between teen cannabis use and a significantly increased risk of developing psychotic disorders. This risk appears to be age-dependent, with adolescents being particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis on their developing brains. While further research is needed, these findings raise concerns about early cannabis use and highlight the importance of prevention strategies.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 13, 2024·5 min readHigh-Potency Cannabis Linked to Youth PsychosisYoung individuals who use high-potency cannabis between ages 16 and 18 are twice as likely to experience psychosis by their mid-twenties compared to those who use lower-potency strains. This research utilized data from the Children of the 90s study, tracking thousands of participants from Bristol.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 8, 2024·6 min readLack of Sleep in Childhood Linked to Increased Psychosis RiskChildren who consistently experience insufficient sleep from infancy through early childhood are significantly more likely to develop psychosis as young adults. Analyzing data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation is a strong predictor of both psychotic disorders and psychotic episodes later in life.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 12, 2024·10 min readKey Brain Systems Implicated in PsychosisResearchers provide new insights into the brain mechanisms behind psychosis. The research identified malfunctions in two critical brain systems—the "filter" and the "predictor" in individuals with psychosis.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 9, 2024·4 min readChildhood Loneliness Linked to Later PsychosisChildhood loneliness significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing a psychotic episode later in life, particularly in women. Through an observational case-control study involving 285 first-episode psychosis patients and 261 controls, the research distinguished the effects of subjective loneliness from objective social isolation.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 9, 2024·6 min readPredicting Psychosis Before Symptom OnsetResearchers developed a machine-learning tool that accurately identifies individuals at high risk of psychosis through MRI brain scans. This innovative approach, which achieved an 85% accuracy rate in training and 73% using new data, offers a promising avenue for early intervention in psychosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 8, 2024·5 min readNew Blood Test Breakthrough for Schizophrenia ManagementResearchers developed a groundbreaking blood test capable of measuring the severity and risk of schizophrenia, fundamentally changing the approach to diagnosing and treating this complex psychiatric disorder. The test identifies specific biomarkers that not only predict the condition's progression but also facilitate personalized treatment plans.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 5, 2024·6 min readBrains of Bullied Teens Show Chemical Shifts Linked to PsychosisA new study revealed a significant link between bullying in adolescents and the early stages of psychosis, associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region critical for emotion regulation. This finding underscores the potential of targeting glutamate levels for pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the risk of developing psychotic disorders.Read More
