News tagged with 'Schizophrenia'

Atypical antipsychotics used in young patients for the first time led to a weight gain of anywhere from 11 to 19 pounds in just 11 weeks and an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides, making some question whether the drugs are a long-term solution for young people with psychiatric disorders.

If schizophrenia runs in a family, bipolar disorder most likely does as well (and vice versa), suggests new research. A new study, published online in the January issue of the journal The Lancet, suggests both disorders share common genetic causes.

Hoping to continue the success of its blockbuster antipsychotic drug, Zyprexa, Eli Lilly has suffered a setback in its request for FDA approval of a longer-lasting formulation. Zyprexa is mired in controversy about the side effects and allegations that Lilly withheld important safety information.  

The controversial drug, Seroquel, will have additional application to treat depression in adults if the drug maker AstraZeneca receives approval from the FDA. Seroquel use has been linked to diabetes, and two serious complications known as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Tardive Dyskinesia. 

There are three family tragedies that help transcend party lines and led to the signing of the mental health parity bill. It requires insurance to cover mental health issues like other physical ailments.  Previously sufferers faced limited coverage and higher co-pays.  

12 out of every 100 people suffer a mental disorder, yet three out of four people in developing countries receive no treatment. That according to the World Health Organization, which issued a report, on this World Mental Health Day.  

Published studies uncover a genetic component to schizophrenia that had never before been seen. For a disease that has seen few breakthroughs, these discoveries will help target therapies and earlier diagnosis.

Tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day, a time to focus on what causes the social deficit disease that circumvents normal interactions and development in children. New research on schizophrenia suggests it could be a cousin to autism.

New gene-scanning technology is allowing researchers to uncover the underlying biology of mental disorders by pinpointing glitches in individual genes that may lead to schizophrenia.  We all may have gene glitches but how they work together is the key.