Schizophrenia Detection

[Jeff Leahy]

I noted with interest on todays national news that an early detection for schizophrenia has been discovered that should open up knowledge and the ability to cure the illness eventually.. I'll have a dig around and see if any useful links can be discovered

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6211104.stm

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/04/06/brain-scans-may-reveal-early-signs-of-schizophrenia/53511.html

http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/specialisms/mental-health/schizophrenia-detected-by-brain-scan/5023466.article

Yours Jeff

[jachim3926]

G'day Jeff,
Considering that Schizophrenia relates to a complex syndrome of mental disorders I am just a wee bit cynical about this. I note that there is no mention
in the' studies' about drug induced psychoses which are frequently afforded the label of schizoid disorders.

Cheers,
Merv

[Jeff Leahy]

G'day Jeff,
Considering that Schizophrenia relates to a complex syndrome of mental disorders I am just a wee bit cynical about this. I note that there is no mention
in the' studies' about drug induced psychoses which are frequently afforded the label of schizoid disorders.

Cheers,
Merv

Hi Merv

Trusting you are well..

Yep we keep hearing that they have discovered the cure for this or that (I'm thinking of alzheimers) then it seems other wise

However they seem to be saying that they can currently detect schizophrenia in early stages and thus treat quicker which will prolong sufferers lives,

That said it seems the drugs they are using are 40 years old.

Its something I think that further research can only give us greater understanding about, I noted with interest that they were also connecting other mental disorders like Bi polar...

I've often wondering if what we are looking at is a wide spectrum with a multi faceted spread of symptoms?

Yours Jeff

[Anna Morris]

Brain scans show a great deal. It is about time such research was done. Europe kicked Freud out, figuring he was a dirty old man. America embraced him and even through my lifetime our doctors have believed "talk therapy" could cure anything they couldn't diagnose. (That is precisely why I had to almost die from tachycardia in 2012 before our doctors would consider that a woman of my age could have an unusual heart disease.)

A few years back scans seemed to show that during puberty neuronal pathways grow and branch at an accelerated rate. There is a natural "pruning" of excessive pathways that will not be needed. It was theorized that those with schizophrenia did not have the natural pruning and therefore there were a great many un-needed, superfluous networks that cannot communicate properly with each other. The result is hearing voices, having visions, etc.

It was said boys were most at risk for the condition.

There is now also some thought that certain viruses, including the flu virus, can affect brain development.

Even if scientists can see what is going on I think effective treatment will be a long way off. At this time it is believed that anticonvulsant type drugs are "brain sparing", in that they can help damaged brains heal and work normally. However that has not worked out to such drugs curing any major malfunction in the brain.

There absolutely must be more research in this area. I wish someday to help fund such research.

[Jeff Leahy]

Brain scans show a great deal. It is about time such research was done. Europe kicked Freud out, figuring he was a dirty old man. America embraced him and even through my lifetime our doctors have believed "talk therapy" could cure anything they couldn't diagnose. (That is precisely why I had to almost die from tachycardia in 2012 before our doctors would consider that a woman of my age could have an unusual heart disease.)

A few years back scans seemed to show that during puberty neuronal pathways grow and branch at an accelerated rate. There is a natural "pruning" of excessive pathways that will not be needed. It was theorized that those with schizophrenia did not have the natural pruning and therefore there were a great many un-needed, superfluous networks that cannot communicate properly with each other. The result is hearing voices, having visions, etc.

It was said boys were most at risk for the condition.

There is now also some thought that certain viruses, including the flu virus, can affect brain development.

Even if scientists can see what is going on I think effective treatment will be a long way off. At this time it is believed that anticonvulsant type drugs are "brain sparing", in that they can help damaged brains heal and work normally. However that has not worked out to such drugs curing any major malfunction in the brain.

There absolutely must be more research in this area. I wish someday to help fund such research.

Hi Anna

Don't tell us about it, we are still living through this hell...

But our consultants have been great...the NHS care system has gone down the plug hole

I disappear

Yours Jeffx

[Anna Morris]

Jeff: Glad to see you back. I remember there was to be a surgery in your family and have remembered to pray for you & Catrin and to wish you the best.

~~~~~~~~

I am very serious about furthering medical research. I studied biochemistry but don't have a degree. The cures will be found at the molecular level, I believe.