Latest

Schizophrenia

·September 20, 2023·6 min read

Mapping Psychosis Reveals The Brain’s Epicentre of Schizophrenia

Researchers charted the brain's response to psychosis, specifically how it spreads, revealing potential therapeutic targets. Their study, which examined 534 individuals across various stages of psychosis, identified the hippocampus as an initial site of change.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 1, 2023·7 min read

Gene Mutation Sheds Light on Schizophrenia Mysteries

Scientists developed a mouse model that carries a genetic mutation linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia. By studying the Grin2a gene, they found significant changes in gene expression, brain cell activity, and neurotransmitter signaling.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·August 21, 2023·5 min read

Unlocking Schizophrenia: Mitochondria Dysfunction at the Forefront

Researchers have identified a pivotal role of impaired mitochondrial function in the development of schizophrenia by examining the genetic risk factor 3q29 deletion syndrome. The genetic condition, known to amplify schizophrenia risk by 40 times, displayed alterations in mitochondrial activity in both mice models and human brain organoids.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 2, 2023·6 min read

Detecting Schizophrenia Risk Early Via Brain Pattern Changes Linked to Age

A new study discovered age-related changes in brain patterns associated with the risk for developing schizophrenia. Using a data-driven method known as Neuromark, the team analyzed functional MRI scans, genetic, and clinical measures from 9,236 individuals to determine alterations in brain network connectivity linked to genetic risk for schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2023·4 min read

Amotivation and Anhedonia Key to Social Functioning in Schizophrenia

Amotivation and anhedonia, rather than expressive dysfunction, are crucial to determining the social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. The transdiagnostic network analysis examined the relationship between negative symptoms, other psychopathologies, and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 18, 2023·4 min read

Study Challenges Longstanding Beliefs About Action of Antipsychotic Medications

Researchers uncovered a pivotal detail that could revolutionize schizophrenia treatment. Contrary to longstanding belief, antipsychotic drugs that mitigate overactive dopamine, a hallmark of schizophrenia, interact primarily with a different type of neuron than originally assumed.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 6, 2023·5 min read

Schizophrenia Linked to Non-Inherited Genetic Mutations

Researchers found a link between schizophrenia and somatic copy-number variants, mutations occurring post-inheritance. The study scrutinized genotype-marker data from over 20,000 blood samples, identifying two genes, NRXN1 and ABCB11, that correlate with schizophrenia when disrupted during development.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 2, 2023·4 min read

Shaping Young Minds: Neurodevelopment Interventions for Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers explored potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism that act during critical windows of brain development. They specifically targeted underperforming dopamine neurons, which connect to the frontal cortex and are vital for cognitive processing and decision-making.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 1, 2023·4 min read

Unexpected Role of Immune Autoantibodies in Schizophrenia

The researchers identified autoantibodies against the synaptic protein neurexin 1α in about 2% of patients with schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 27, 2023·4 min read

Vitamin D’s Crucial Role in Dopamine Function and Schizophrenia

Neuroscientists discovered how vitamin D deficiency impacts the development of neurons, contributing to disorders such as schizophrenia. Using innovative technology, they were able to observe that a lack of vitamin D not only changes neuron growth but also affects the brain's dopamine release mechanism. They found dopamine release was enhanced in cells grown in the presence of vitamin D, compared to a control.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 25, 2023·6 min read

Understanding Delusions of Control: How Schizophrenia Alters Perception of Action

A new study sheds light on the phenomenon of 'delusions of control', often experienced by schizophrenia patients. This condition, marked by the belief that one's actions are controlled by external forces, is linked to an altered perception of the time between actions and their outcomes.

This shows two stills of a person's head.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2023·5 min read

Shared Genetics for Cannabis Use and Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers discovered shared genetic underpinnings for cannabis use and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Employing advanced statistical modelling, the study revealed a complex interplay of genetic variants increasing or decreasing risk factors for these conditions. These findings may contribute to personalized preventive measures and interventional strategies.