The Schizophrenic Mind
By Beiyu (Pam) Lin, Biology, 2021
Maycon told researchers that it started with childhood drug use: gasoline, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. By age 12, he began to experience auditory hallucinations, which are perhaps the most famously recognized symptom for schizophrenia. By age 17, the disease had worsened to the point where he firmly believed the voices in his head came from the devil, whispering threats to take him away. And while Maycon, who was soon after checked into urgent mental health services, is just one case study, there is no shortage of similar stories amongst those diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder suffered by approximately 20 million individuals in the United States. The buildup of early symptoms — which include changes in self care, bizarre and disorganized thoughts, and lack of energy — often culminate as dissociation, or a loss of touch with reality; this is often portrayed and recognized by popular culture as a “psychotic break.” While in its active state, schizophrenia commonly presents itself as delusions (thoughts or beliefs that don’t make sense), hallucinations, confused behavior, and abnormal movements. Presently, there is no cure, but there is ongoing research into more and more effective treatment, which include cognitive enhancement therapy, social skills training, and antipsychotic medication. While there is progress, it’s still exceedingly necessary for researchers to learn more about the intricacies of the disease in hopes of better understanding and treating it.
After aggregating data from a whopping 15 study populations, they were met with incredibly consistent results.
In 2015, researchers across the globe collaborated to form the ENIGMA Schizophrenia Working Group, launching a project that has proved itself to be a hallmark in schizophrenia research. They decided to tackle it from a neuropsychiatric lens by conducting a study that closely studied abnormal brain structures in patients with schizophrenia. After aggregating data from a whopping 15 study populations, they were met with incredibly consistent results. When compared to healthy individuals, it was found that in the brains of those who suffered from schizophrenia, there was a smaller hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, nucleus accumbens and intracranial space. In contrast, they had a significantly larger pallidum and lateral ventricle volumes. The power of scientific research had discovered that there were concrete, visible differences in brain anatomy.
So, what exactly do all these findings mean? It’s still only a starting point to have identified the distinctions between normal and schizophrenic brain structure. The new research isn’t sufficient to make any definitive conclusions about these disparities, despite the study having occurred half a decade ago. However, the study did show that the independent analyses done across different research labs could be corroborated through this large meta-analysis; this kind of validation lets scientists know that they are moving in the right direction. The next step in schizophrenia research is to test the effects of different treatment options and observe their impact on key regions of the brain. In addition, researchers are also beginning to combine biological and psychological research in an attempt to target novel genes for therapeutic purposes.
Researchers are beginning to combine biological and psychological research in an attempt to target novel genes for therapeutic purposes.
Despite an increase in research efforts, the main issue for patients suffering from schizophrenia is the lack of treatment altogether. The median time between the onset of symptoms and finally getting the needed treatment is an alarming 18 months; these months are critical time that could be used to decrease the impact of psychosis. Fortunately, research is already being conducted on how to properly educate the masses on early symptoms, such as through the use of social media.
There are also now a handful of specialized centers, such as CEDAR clinic in Boston, targeted at young individuals who may be experiencing early high-risk symptoms of psychosis. These types of clinics have been conducting mounting research for treatments, while simultaneously breaking down stigma and ignorance about the mental disorder. Learning about the neurobiology of the disorder is clearly beneficial, and the momentum on funding should not be halted. However, the social barriers of schizophrenia treatment are also vital factors to look into with equal curiosity and fervor. Moving forward, there is still much to do in order to adequately treat those suffering from this debilitating illness.
Schizophrenia Bulletin (2018). DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby014.089
Molecular Psychiatry (2015). DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.63
An Experiential Approach to Psychopathology (2016). DOI: 10.1007/978–3–319–29945–7_17
