What Research Is Being Done On Schizophrenia?

New study finds evidence for

reduced brain connections

in schizophrenia. Advances in scanning have allowed researchers for the first time to show lower levels of a protein found in the connections between neurons in the living brains of people with schizophrenia.

How is schizophrenia best treated based on current research?

Medications. Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, and

antipsychotic medications

are the most commonly prescribed drugs. They’re thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.

Why is research important for schizophrenia?

The

cause of schizophrenia is not known and current treatments

for the illness do not reduce disability. Thus, research on the causes of schizophrenia, including factors such as genetics and environmental experiences, is critically important. Similarly, research on treatments that reduce disability is also critical.

What new methods are being used to discover new treatments for schizophrenia?

This week, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug —

Caplyta (lumateperone)

, which will give people living with schizophrenia a new approach to treatment. It is expected to be available in early 2020.

What is evidence based treatment for schizophrenia?

Evidence-based practice means the therapist takes three important things into consideration: their own expertise, the patient’s preferences and values, and scientific evidence to guide which treatments they use.

Treatments that have research showing they are

effective are called evidence-based treatments.

What should schizophrenics avoid?

Many people with schizophrenia have trouble with sleep, but getting regular exercise, reducing sugar in your diet, and avoiding caffeine can help.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

. It can be tempting to try to self-medicate the symptoms of schizophrenia with drugs and alcohol.

What is the best treatment for someone with schizophrenia?

Antipsychotics

are usually recommended as the initial treatment for the symptoms of an acute schizophrenic episode. They work by blocking the effect of the chemical dopamine on the brain.

Can schizophrenia go away?

While

no cure exists for schizophrenia

, it is treatable and manageable with medication and behavioral therapy, especially if diagnosed early and treated continuously.

Does schizophrenia worsen with age?

It has been commonly understood that positive symptoms of schizophrenia decline in later life, while

negative symptoms dominate the presentation in older age

.

How Can schizophrenia be cured permanently?

There’s no cure for schizophrenia

. If you’re diagnosed with this disorder, you’ll need lifelong treatment. Treatments can control or reduce the severity of symptoms. It’s important to get treatment from a psychiatrist or mental health professional who has experience treating people with this disorder.

How long does a person with schizophrenia live?

Life expectancy was greatly reduced in patients with schizophrenia, at

64.7 years

(59.9 for men and 67.6 for women).

What is the best drug for psychosis?

Antipsychotic medicines

are usually recommended as the first treatment for psychosis. They work by blocking the effect of dopamine, a chemical that transmits messages in the brain.

Can someone with schizophrenia not take medication?

Finally, some people with

schizophrenia stop taking medication when they feel better

. But that can backfire. Cutting back on or stopping the medication too soon can cause your symptoms to come back. Most people with schizophrenia take what doctors call a maintenance medication to keep things stable.

What can you teach a patient with schizophrenia?

1. Relaxation techniques including mindfulness, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation.
2. Daily exercise.
3. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
4. Refrain from alcohol and drugs.
5. Seek social support other than immediate caregivers.

What is the latest treatment for schizophrenia?

The newest medication to reach the market for the treatment of schizophrenia is

lumateperone

¹


(also known as Caplyta and produced by Intra-Cellular Therapies). Lumateperone was approved by the FDA in December 2019.

How do you approach a patient with schizophrenia?

1. Don’t argue. …
2. Use simple directions, if needed. …
3. Give the person enough personal space so that he or she does not feel trapped or surrounded. …
4. Call for help if you think anyone is in danger.
5. Move the person away from the cause of the fear or from noise and activity, if possible.