Brain scans revealed, compared to women with low risk for postpartum psychosis, new mothers in high-risk groups had altered brain connectivity in networks associated with goal-orientated behaviors.
A link has been identified between psychosis and a genetic change that alters the immune system in the brain. Researchers found people with psychosis associated with bipolar disorder had decreased expression of GRK3. This led to an increased amount of kynurenic acid in the brain.
Adolescents with a higher risk for developing psychosis have subtle differences in brain structure, including lower cortical thickness than their peers without risk factors. In those who developed psychosis, the cortical thinning was most pronounced in several areas of the temporal and frontal regions of the brain.
While cannabis users reported more psychotic experiences than non-users generally, the effect was more pronounced in those with a genetic risk factor for schizophrenia.
Mouse study reveals elevated dopamine levels preceded hallucination-like events, and artificially boosting dopamine levels induced more hallucination-like events. The behavioral effects could be blocked by administering haloperidol, an antipsychotic which blocks dopamine. The study sheds light on potential new treatments for psychotic disorders marked by hallucinations.
Study reveals adolescents with a high risk of developing psychosis and who were night owls reported experiencing an increase in psychotic symptoms.
People who experienced language and communication difficulties as a result of psychosis showed weaker connectivity in the superior temporal area, an area of the brain associated with language processing. Those with greater language problems had greater connectivity in other areas of the brain, suggesting the brain may utilize other areas to compensate for language in patients with psychosis.
While England has only seen a moderate rise in people being diagnosed with psychosis in recent years, prescription rates for antipsychotic medications have doubled.
High levels of insulin during mid-childhood was linked to an increased risk of developing psychosis during early adulthood. Additionally, an increase in BMI during the onset of puberty, specifically in girls, was linked to an increased risk of depression.
Study shows a combination of human and artificial intelligence optimizes the prediction of mental health problems, including psychosis.
Inducing hallucinations using visual stimuli in a lab setting enables more objective and reliable testing.
Study adds to the growing evidence Bartonella infection is associated with neuropsychological symptoms in addition to dermatological symptoms.
