Polygenic risk scores (PRS) did not predict the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD) in patients with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, according to results from a study published in Psychological Medicine. Researchers conducted a case-control study to examine the associations between PRS for schizophrenia and other mental disorders with the development of…
Boosting amino acid derivative may be a treatment for schizophrenia
Many psychiatric drugs act on the receptors or transporters of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. However, there is a great need for alternatives, and research is looking at other targets along the brain’s metabolic pathways. Lack of glycine betaine contributes to brain pathology in schizophrenia, and new research from the…
Schizophrenia: Restoring brain circuitry to improve symptoms
Researchers pin down the faulty brain circuitry that drives negative symptom severity in schizophrenia and look at noninvasive methods of targeting and “repairing” this breakdown. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition with characteristic symptoms that include delusions and hallucinations. It also has numerous negative symptoms, such as flat affect (lack of emotional expression),…
Vitamin D deficiency increases schizophrenia risk
Some research suggests a link between low vitamin D levels and a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia. New evidence indicates that this notion may be correct. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive problems characterize schizophrenia.…
What to know about phantom smells (phantosmia)
Phantosmia is the medical word used by doctors when a person smells something that is not actually there. Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination. The smells vary from person to person but are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metallic, or chemical smells. Problems with…