Mental Health

M edical cannabis gained substantial scientific validation in 2018. Studies have furthered our understanding of the beneficial effects of cannabis on a range of conditions including pain, depression, anxiety, healthy aging, and neuroprotection. Pharmaceutical companies and beverage behemoths are hedging on cannabis’ widespread appeal and therapeutic benefits, and bipartisan support of the Agricultural Farm Bill highlights a shift in acceptance even among the federal government. The cannabis research momentum carried into the final quarter of 2018. Here are the top five research stories to close out the year. Studies at a glance: THC Boosts Traditional Neuropathic Pain Medication Many are turning to cannabis as an alternative to prescription medications—or as a strategy for finding relief when all else fails. There are different types of pain, and each type comes with its own treatment strategy and its own challenges. Neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic pain that ca...

Development of symptoms associated with schizophrenia can dramatically change a person’s life trajectory. This is because negative symptoms in schizophrenia can be so disabling that they interfere with a person’s ability to attend school, begin a fulfilling career, and even live independently. Symptoms of schizophrenia appear during adolescence or young adulthood with an average age of onset of 18 in men and 25 in women. In the new study, University of Nevada – Las Vegas psychology professor Dr. Daniel Allen and colleagues suggest a new way to classify the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The new methodology, published by JAMA Psychiatry , should improve intervention and treatment of the negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia and influence future research. Previous literature suggested that the negative symptoms of schizophrenia should be placed into two categories. Allen and his colleagues suggest that that view is too simplified. To reflect the complexity of the dise...

The neverending debate on marijuana and schizophrenia began during the 1930s with the cannabis prohibition in the United States. A lot has changed in the meantime: Most of the states in the US have legalized cannabis for medical use, and several even for recreational use. Canada has legalized cannabis for recreational purposes, but the decades-long debate is still raging on. A frequent argument against cannabis legalization is that it increases the risk of psychosis, and a possible development of schizophrenia, especially in teenagers. Some sources suggest that cannabis triggers schizophrenia in people who are already genetically predisposed to this mental illness, while others are working to prove that cannabis and schizophrenia are not linked at all. Cannabis, or more precisely large quantities of THC, are known to trigger short-term anxiety and paranoia in some users, so it’s often suggested that people struggling with mental health issues should completely stay away from we...

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University were keen to understand whether they should be focusing on brain cell development or communication, or both, in order to address symptoms of schizophrenia. these distinctions were important because they result in very different therapeutic approaches. For the research , scientists examined a brain cell receptor called ErbB4. The level of this receptor is altered in adults with schizophrenia. The ErbB4 receptor functions to maintain an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, called GABA. This neurotransmitter operates to prevent brain cells from overreacting and this seems to keep fear and anxiety in check. The science group had demonstrated previously that ErbB4 mutations change signals inside brain cells. The consequence of this triggers schizophrenic symptoms in mice (and it is presumed that the same effect would occur with humans). Brain preserved in formaldehyde. By Gaetan Lee (CC BY 2.0) However, earlier studies could not...

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Restoring brain cell receptors helps restore normal behaviour… Despite extensive research efforts, schizophrenia remains one of the least understood brain disorders. One promising area of research is in receptors on the surfaces of brain cells that help sense growth factors. But there’s been a problem: in previous schizophrenia studies, researchers have genetically manipulated brain cell receptors in very young mice. Schizophrenia usually affects adults. In the new study, Lin Mei, Professor and Chair of Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine , led an international team of neuroscientists. The team included Prof Mei’s long-time collaborator, Professor Wen-Cheng Xiong, and first authors Hongsheng Wang and Wenbing Chen, graduate students, all of CWRU. Additional collaborators included researchers at Nanchang University and Guangzhou Medical University in China, and neuroscientists from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Together, the ...

Despite extensive research efforts, schizophrenia remains one of the least understood brain disorders. One promising area of research is in receptors on the surfaces of brain cells that help sense growth factors. But there's been a problem: in previous schizophrenia studies, researchers have genetically manipulated brain cell receptors in very young mice. Schizophrenia usually affects adults. In a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Lin Mei, MD, PhD, asked, does all the tinkering in young mice hamper their brain development, causing schizophrenia-like symptoms? Or, do their brain cells develop normally, but in adulthood struggle to communicate? Researchers need to know whether to focus their efforts on brain cell development or communication, or both, because the answer to these questions implies different therapeutic approaches. In the new study, Mei, professor and chair of neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, le...

The onset of schizophrenia in young adults can put an immediate halt to life goals, with one set of symptoms being particularly debilitating. Negative symptoms in schizophrenia can be so disabling that they interfere with a person's ability to attend school, begin a fulfilling career, and even live independently. In a recent study published by JAMA Psychiatry , UNLV psychology professor Daniel Allen and colleagues suggest a new way to classify the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which may influence research and treatment in years to come. Previous literature suggested that the negative symptoms of schizophrenia should be placed into two categories. Allen and his colleagues suggest that that view is too simplified. To reflect the complexity of the disease, and to hone in on more specific treatments, Allen suggests that the symptoms be placed into five categories. Allen says it is important to understand the symptoms of schizophrenia so we can measure them accurately. "...

Margaret Wilbur × 61-year-old woman missing from north side safely located Margaret Wilbur UPDATE: –  Authorities have safely located Wilbur. Original Story:  INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– Indianapolis police are searching for a missing woman who may be suffering from schizophrenia symptoms. Margaret Wilbur, 61, was last seen Friday morning in the 7800 block of Clearwater Cove Drive, near East 82nd Street and North Keystone Avenue on the north side. Wilbur is described as 5’4″ tall, 137 pounds, with red hair and brown eyes. She may be driving a 2012 bright blue Cadillac CTS, license plate number SGC370. The car has chrome rims and a spoiler. IMPD says she’s believed to be suffering from symptoms of schizophrenia. Anyone with information is asked to call the IMPD Missing Persons Unit at 317-327-6160. https://ift.tt/2QeO6Vh

Margaret Wilbur × 61-year-old woman reported missing on north side Margaret Wilbur INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– Indianapolis police are searching for a missing woman who may be suffering from schizophrenia symptoms. Margaret Wilbur, 61, was last seen Friday morning in the 7800 block of Clearwater Cove Drive, near East 82nd Street and North Keystone Avenue on the north side. Wilbur is described as 5’4″ tall, 137 pounds, with red hair and brown eyes. She may be driving a 2012 bright blue Cadillac CTS, license plate number SGC370. The car has chrome rims and a spoiler. IMPD says she’s believed to be suffering from symptoms of schizophrenia. Anyone with information is asked to call the IMPD Missing Persons Unit at 317-327-6160. https://ift.tt/2Qhnq6h

LONDON (Alliance News) - Indivior PLC on Monday said its extended-release drug Perseris is now available in the US for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Perseris is a slow-release injectable form of Risperidone and is now available in the US, having been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for use in adult schizophrenic patients. The injection provides sustained levels of the antipsychotic drug Risperidone, an established treatment for schizophrenia, over a one-month period. FDA approval for Perseris was granted based on results from its phase three study of the product in 354 patients over an eight week period. Indivior said it anticipates and is preparing for a full promotional launch by its salesforce for Perseris by February 2019. This launch is dependent upon the US Court of Appeals upholding its injunction against a generic form of one of Indivior's Suboxone film opiate addiction product. The generic has been developed by Dr Reddy's Laboratories Lt...