Brain Signs of Schizophrenia Found in Babies

Courtasy of: http://www.sciencedaily.com

ScienceDaily (June 21, 2010) — Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder affecting one in 100 people worldwide. Most cases aren't detected until a person starts experiencing symptoms like delusions and hallucinations as a teenager or adult. By that time, the disease has often progressed so far that it can be difficult to treat.

In a paper published recently online by the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Columbia University provide the first evidence that brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia risk are detectable in babies only a few weeks old.

"It allows us to start thinking about how we can identify kids at risk for schizophrenia very early and whether there things that we can do very early on to lessen the risk," said lead study author John H. Gilmore, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the UNC Schizophrenia Research Center.

The scientists used ultrasound and MRI to examine brain development in 26 babies born to mothers with schizophrenia. Having a first-degree relative with the disease raises a person's risk of schizophrenia to one in 10. Among boys, the high-risk babies had larger brains and larger lateral ventricles -- fluid-filled spaces in the brain -- than babies of mothers with no psychiatric illness.

"Could it be that enlargement is an early marker of a brain that's going to be different?" Gilmore speculated. Larger brain size in infants is also associated with autism.

The researchers found no difference in brain size among girls in the study. This fits the overall pattern of schizophrenia, which is more common, and often more severe, in males.

The findings do not necessarily mean the boys with larger brains will develop schizophrenia. Relatives of people with schizophrenia sometimes have subtle brain abnormalities but exhibit few or no symptoms.
"This is just the very beginning," said Gilmore. "We're following these children through childhood." The team will continue to measure the children's brains and will also track their language skills, motor skills and memory development. They will also continue to recruit women to the study to increase the sample size.

This research provides the first indication that brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia can be detected early in life. Improving early detection could allow doctors to develop new approaches to prevent high-risk children from developing the disease. "The research will give us a better sense of when brain development becomes different," said Gilmore. "And that will help us target interventions."

The paper is available now online and will be published in the September issue of the journal. The study was funded by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Foundation of Hope.
In addition to Gilmore, authors of the study were Chaeryon Kang, Dianne D. Evans, Honor M. Wolfe, J. Keith Smith, Weili Lin, Robert M. Hamer, Martin Styner, and Guido Gerig. Author Jeffrey A. Lieberman, chairs the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University.

Peace & Balance

MH OT

-- Post From My iPhone

First drug and Mental Health Expo for Macarthur

Courtasy of: www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au

WOULD you know where to go if a family member was suffering from mental health or drug problems?

The answer is often no, says Mary Ashby, a counsellor at Maryfields Day Recovery Centre in Campbelltown.
That's why Maryfields and several other local organisations have joined to create the first annual Macarthur Drug Free Expo.

The expo, to be held at Campbelltown Civic Centre on June 25, will offer information packs to the community about mental health and drug education.

``It still surprises me that people ring up and they don't know where to go for these services,'' Mrs Ashby said.

``People often self-medicate, when they become mentally unwell, with alcohol and drugs. They feel better but it actually makes it worse but if families can recognise this, they can be directed to the right care.''
Mrs Ashby, who has worked at Maryfields for the past eight years, said there was ``always a need'' for an event like the expo.

``It's also good for mums and dads who want to teach their kids about drugs,'' she said.
``We hope it's going to grow from here. We're very excited.''

The expo will coincide with Drug Action Week (June 20-26) and is partly funded by the Community Drug Action Team.

Campbelltown rehabilitation centre Odyssey House is also involved, as well as Lifeline and the Drug and Alcohol Women's Network.

Odyssey House chief executive James Pitts was pleased at the combined effort of all of the organisations involved.

``People will learn about the comprehensive services we provide for people who have complex needs relating to alcohol and other drug misuse including mental health issues,'' he said.
``We hope the expo will inform and engage the local community as to the services available to them and there are some innovative and fun events planned for the day.''

The first annual Macarthur Drug Free Expo will be held at Campbelltown Civic Centre, corner of Queen and Broughton streets, on June 25 from 10am to 2pm.

Peace & Balance

MH OT