Schizophrenia News and Research

Latest Schizophrenia News and Research

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior awarded $14.9M for establishing new IPCN

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA has been awarded $14.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to establish a center dedicated to interdisciplinary research on the role of genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders.

13 Apr 2010

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior awarded $14.9M to establish IPCN facility

7 Apr 2010

Study: Genetic mutation in mice elevates risk of stress-induced depression

Depression and schizophrenia can be triggered by environmental stimuli and often occur in response to stressful life events. However, some people have a higher predisposition to develop these diseases, which highlights a role for genetics in determining a person's disease risk.

6 Apr 2010

Genome of Australian zebra finch decoded

Nearly all animals make sounds instinctively, but baby songbirds learn to sing in virtually the same way human infants learn to speak: by imitating a parent.

2 Apr 2010

Molecular mechanism behind mutation in calcium channel protein linked with night blindness

Congenital stationary night blindness, an inherited condition that affects one's ability to see in the dark, is caused by a mutation in a calcium channel protein that shuttles calcium into and out of cells. Now, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have teased apart the molecular mechanism behind this mutation, uncovering a more general principle of how cells control calcium levels.

2 Apr 2010

Researchers identify link between genetic mutation and schizophrenia

In what may provide the most compelling evidence to date, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have illuminated how a genetic variant may lead to schizophrenia by causing a disruption in communication between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain, areas believed to be responsible for carrying out working memory.

2 Apr 2010

Genetic risk factor for schizophrenia can disrupt connectivity at level of single neurons

The strongest known recurrent genetic cause of schizophrenia impairs communications between the brain's decision-making and memory hubs, resulting in working memory deficits, according to a study in mice.

1 Apr 2010

Metabolon awarded U.S. patents for metabolomics methods

Metabolon, Inc., the leader in global metabolism through biomarker discovery and analysis, announced today the grant of US Patent 7,682,783 and US Patent 7,682,784 entitled "Methods for Drug Discovery, Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Using Metabolomics". The USPTO awarded the patents to Metabolon on March 23, 2010. The issued claims in the new patents are for uses of metabolomics to identify diagnostic biomarkers for depression and schizophrenia by profiling classes of metabolites in a sample.

1 Apr 2010

New clues may help explain why some people are more susceptible to stress than others

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found new clues that might help explain why some people are more susceptible to stress than others.

31 Mar 2010

Study indicates estrogenic drug could help treat schizophrenia

An estrogenic drug that influences neurotransmitter and neuronal systems in the brain is showing promise as an effective therapy for women who suffer from schizophrenia.

31 Mar 2010

Close-ups on how the health overhaul gives and takes away

"An association representing 300 large corporations urged President Obama and Congress on Monday to repeal a provision of the health care overhaul that prompted AT&T, Caterpillar and other companies to announce substantial charges for the current quarter."

31 Mar 2010

Chakra Biotech completes MYR18.2m Series B investment round

Chakra Biotech Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian based Contract Research Organization, has completed a MYR18.2m Series B funding round. This brings total funding for the company to MYR20.0m. Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund Ltd. (MLSCF) and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC) participated in the round.

29 Mar 2010

ARYx Therapeutics reports net loss of $5.8M for fourth-quarter 2009

ARYx Therapeutics, Inc. today reported results of operations and provided an update on its products for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

29 Mar 2010

Cortex signs agreement to sell certain AMPAKINE compounds to Biovail

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Biovail Laboratories International SRL in which Biovail acquired certain AMPAKINE compounds and the rights to the patent filing for respiratory depression and vaso-occlusive crises associated with sickle cell disease.

29 Mar 2010

Research on approaches to assess and treat cognition in schizophrenia

Research shows that neuro and social cognition have a decisive influence on functional outcome in people with schizophrenia. In this publication, world-renowned experts summarize the latest research on approaches to assessing and treating cognition in schizophrenia. The book is organized to take the reader through the steps from definitions and assessment of cognition to research on the relevance of cognition in everyday life, to chapters which focus on treatments for cognitive disorders.

24 Mar 2010

SAMHSA study shows how psychiatric drugs prescribed for medical conditions

A new study sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration outlines the conditions that physicians around the country reported treating with psychiatric drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs.

23 Mar 2010

You and your baby may need vitamin D supplementation says research

This report appeared in the respected Journal Pediatrics this week. There has been growing awareness regarding deficiency of Vitamin D in children and adults. This vitamin is important for healthy bones, immunity and other bodily processes. In children inadequacy of this vitamin in diet may lead to bone damage, rickets, repeated infections and heart disease in later life.

23 Mar 2010

Researchers use optogenetics technology to troubleshoot neural circuits

Recently, brain researchers have gained a powerful new way to troubleshoot neural circuits associated with depression, Parkinson's disease and other conditions in small animals such as rats. They use an optogenetics technology, invented at Stanford University, that precisely turns select brain cells on or off with flashes of light. Although useful, the optogenetics tool set has been limited.

19 Mar 2010

NAMI launches new health education program for people with serious mental illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has launched a new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health practices among individuals who live with serious mental illness.

19 Mar 2010

Survey unveils impact of gene regulation on human health

Researchers are only beginning to understand how individual variation in gene regulation can have a lasting impact on one's health and susceptibility to certain diseases. Now, an ambitious survey of the human genome has identified differences in the binding of master regulators called transcription factors to DNA that affect how genes are expressed in different people.

19 Mar 2010