Mar 07 2009
Ruling Out Suspects in Schizophrenia
Science can make advances by subtraction. By eliminating those variables that aren’t involved, focus becomes tighter, resolution clearer. New research into genetic differences between individuals with schizophrenia (n=28) and those without (n=23), has brought light to what causes the mental disorder. But not so much by identifying a cause. Rather, by helping us to see what is likely not involved.
Some scientists believe that schizophrenia could be caused by the brain producing too much dopamine, partly because drugs that block dopamine action provide an effective treatment for the condition. Another theory is that the coat surrounding nerve cells, which is made of myelin, is damaged in people with schizophrenia. However, the new study found that the genes for dopamine and for myelin were not acting any differently in schizophrenia patients compared with controls.
Up to this point in time treatments for schizophrenics have largely consisted of tranquilizers/sedatives of one sort or another. To control symptoms. By decreasing nervous system activity, inner voices are quieted, delusions deflated. But then there are the side effects. . . . Treatments that more precisely target the faulty mechanisms underlying any disorder are a much better way to go. But until you understand those mechanisms, the targeting is frequently of the hit-or-miss variety. Here is where new research can help.
Professor Jackie de Belleroche, the corresponding author of the paper from Imperial College London said: “The first step towards better treatments for schizophrenia is to really understand what is going on, to find out what genes are involved and what they are doing. Our new study has narrowed the search for potential targets for treatment.”
That would be nice.
