232696
States-of-Mind

Mystery of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most frightening psychiatric diagnoses.

It is a chronic condition affecting about one per cent of the population and is associated with some of the most notorious symptoms of mental illness – hallucinations and delusions.

Schizophrenia is troubling because it often begins when a person is in the prime of his or her life and can distort one’s ability to tell what is real and what is not

Schizophrenia can be difficult to treat and its causes and triggers are still a mystery.

A large-scale study published in 2014 in Nature has brought us a little bit closer to understanding this complex disease.  

A collaborative group of researchers examined the genetic codes of more than 150,000 people. Roughly 37,000 were diagnosed with schizophrenia and results found 108 genetic markers for the risk of getting the disease.

This is a big finding because the majority of these markers had not previously been reported.

Most people will have some of these genetic markers and still not develop schizophrenia, but this study did find that those with the most markers were 15 times more likely to develop the disease than those with fewer of them.

This is very interesting and provides some insight into genetic vs. environmental triggers for the condition.

We have long known there seems to be a link between the immune system and schizophrenia.

Families with autoimmune disorders appear to be at increased risk and there is a link between viral infections during pregnancy and higher rates of schizophrenia in offspring.

The markers identified in this study confirm this immune system link. Researchers associated with the study say it is now very clear the immune system is involved with the condition.

Although it will still be many years before this information can lead to new treatments for schizophrenia, it is a piece in the ongoing puzzle.

There is still much to learn, but when scientists from around the world work together and pool data from many thousands of people, it certainly allows our understanding to move forward much more quickly than when we work in isolation.

I look forward to seeing more results from this group and others as we continue to unlock the mystery of schizophrenia.

In the meantime, there are treatments available that help many with this frightening condition. If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one, contact your doctor now for help.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

COMMENTS WELCOME

Comments are pre-moderated to ensure they meet our guidelines. Approval times will vary. Keep it civil, and stay on topic. If you see an inappropriate comment, please use the ‘flag’ feature. Comments are the opinions of the comment writer, not of Castanet. Comments remain open for one day after a story is published and are closed on weekends. Visit Castanet’s Forums to start or join a discussion about this story.



More States of Mind articles

227125
About the Author

Paul Latimer has over 25 years experience in clinical practice, research, and administration.

After obtaining his medical degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, he did psychiatric training at Queen's, Oxford and Temple Universities. After his residency he did a doctorate in medical science at McMaster University where he was also a Medical Research Council of Canada Scholar.

Since 1983 he has been practicing psychiatry in Kelowna, BC, where he has held many administrative positions and conducted numerous clinical trials.

He has published many scientific papers and one book on the psychophysiology of the functional bowel disorders.

He is an avid photographer, skier and outdoorsman.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/oktrials

Follow us on Twitter: @OCT_ca



230807
The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

Previous Stories