Schizophrenia Research: Latest Findings
Schizophrenia research is ongoing, and new developments are consistently being made. For some people with schizophrenia, findings can introduce new interventions that may significantly affect their lives at critical points, possibly improving schizophrenia symptoms and functioning.
Researchers suggest that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development course of schizophrenia and look to examine the ways such factors might be mitigated with interventions. Other research might focus on prevention, brain changes in particular stages of the illness, or psychotic symptoms.
Schizophrenia research
Considered the official journal of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), the Schizophrenia Research journal gathers findings from multiple studies in one place, featuring various clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
For example, one recent study focused on the relationship between negative symptoms and motivation toward monetary rewards. The study in question looked at both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and suggested that negative symptoms were linked with lower motivation for goal-oriented, monetary rewards.
Early psychosis research
A global network of researchers called Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ), which was launched in 2020, is presently working to study young, at-risk people for schizophrenia.
Mount Sinai has announced that this network of researchers is entering a new phase of testing preventive measures and interventions for addressing schizophrenia symptoms. According to Mount Sinai, "MP SCZ is collecting data on biomarkers that could predict which individuals are at risk for developing psychosis." The participants, who are between 12 and 30, are spread across 13 countries.
On June 2023, Mount Sinai researchers from around the world presented findings on "new psychosis risk biotypes, cannabidiol as a novel treatment for psychosis, and new clinical interventions for early-stage mental illness."
First episode psychosis
One recent study involving 404 persons aged 15 to 40 years old with non-affective first episode psychosis (FEP) participated in a program called the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia-Early Treatment Program. The program notes that early intervention services have been shown to improve symptoms and functioning in (FEP), but research hasn't yet examined these services' impact on cognitive functioning. To test their theory, participants were put in either community care (CC) or an early intervention program called NAVIGATE for a period of two years.
The program's findings suggest that early intervention programs may not be as significant in improving cognitive functioning for older FEP patients but showed effectiveness in improving working memory in younger FEP patients. Participants aged 15 to 19 in the early intervention program indicated significant improvement in working memory. Moreover, improvements in cognitive functioning noted in the first year correlated with reduced symptom severity. The study concluded that "interventions targeting cognition may be required to enhance cognitive functioning in most FEP patients."
Differences in brain structure
A structural and functional MRI study sought to examine progressive changes in the brain throughout the illness course. The study had 115 participants with different stages of schizophrenia, divided according to how long they've had the illness (five, 15, and 25 years). These three groups were matched with a control group of 230 people without schizophrenia or another mental disorder.
All groups were evaluated using two structural and functional MRI analysis methods, and each group of patients with schizophrenia was compared with the control groups. These methods indicated that brain abnormalities become present at different stages of the illness. The researchers noted that "individual functional abnormalities occur in limited brain areas initially, functional connectivity and gray matter density abnormalities ensue later in wider brain areas, and structural connectivity abnormalities involving almost all white matter tracts emerge in the third decade of the course in schizophrenia."
The study tested the possible effect of long-term usage of antipsychotic medication on the brain. Its findings suggested no "significant correlation" between accumulative exposure to medication and observed brain abnormalities. Currently, brain scans are not considered a reliable method of diagnosis for any mental illness.
Cognitive symptoms
The cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia symptoms has been a source of interest for researchers. Current findings suggest that cognitive impairment seems to be distinct from positive and negative symptoms. Using a five-factor model (positive, negative, disorganized, excited, and depressed), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is often used to assess the structure of symptoms. Research indicates the disorganized factor is associated with more cognitive impairment.
Mental health services
A cross-sectional observational study assessed how diagnosed schizophrenia patients had their first contact with mental health services. The study included 150 schizophrenia patients between 12 and 60 years old. It found that faith healers were the most common "pathway to care," and factors such as family members' education and socioeconomic background influence the choice and perception of psychiatric care. The researchers suggest that "while planning mental health services, emphasis should be made on collaboration between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric services."
Healthcare providers
A systematic review of the role of primary care physicians in managing schizophrenia in low- and middle-income countries suggests that appropriate training of primary care physicians to address schizophrenia may reduce the treatment gap and introduce interventions for improving quality of life. The review indicates a need for more integrated care of various professionals who encounter individuals at risk for schizophrenia.
Safeguarding your mental health
Speaking to a therapist may be valuable when struggling with daily life challenges. A therapist can help clients manage stress and find ways to navigate symptoms. If in-person sessions are inconvenient or not easy to access, online therapy can be an accessible way to receive therapy.
Online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp can be a convenient and easy-to-use option for some people grappling with schizophrenia symptoms across the spectrum. Clients can choose between phone, video, or in-app messaging sessions and access resources like support groups and worksheets.
A review and synthesis of relevant factors of online psychosocial interventions for psychosis noted that "increased engagement is associated with improved outcomes," but other factors (individual, environmental, and type of intervention) also influence engagement. The synthesized findings suggest that "interventions should be flexible, easy to use, aim to promote motivation, and incorporate some form of support."
Takeaway
Schizophrenia research findings may introduce new interventions that may significantly affect the lives of people with schizophrenia at critical points, improving symptoms and functioning.
Researchers suggest that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development course of schizophrenia and look to examine the ways such factors might be mitigated with appropriate interventions. Research may focus on various areas related to schizophrenia, including brain changes in particular stages of the illness, psychotic symptoms, and environmental factors.
Considered the official journal of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), the Schizophrenia Research journal gathers findings from multiple studies into one place — a source for those looking for the latest on schizophrenia-related findings. Schizophrenia research is ongoing, and new developments are on their way. Speaking to a therapist can also be helpful when struggling with challenges that affect your well-being, regardless of your diagnostic status.
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