Scientists show thalamus dysfunction in early schizophrenia
The thalamus, the brain's main
sensory filter, is dysfunctional in
the earliest stages of schizophrenia. A study published in the
American Journal of Psychiatry
(2001;158:116-8) shows for the
first time that thalamic abnormalities are present close to the
onset of psychosis. These findings may explain why people
with schizophrenia experience
confusion during their illness.
The thalamus, the area
where information is received
and relayed to other areas of the
brain, is of particular interest in
schizophrenia because of the
part it plays in processing information. People with schizophrenia often have difficulties in
processing information properly
and as a result may end up with
an information overload in
some areas of the brain.
The R W Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute
submitted a new drug application for a seven day
contraceptive patch last month. The Ortho Evra weekly patch
can be worn on a woman’s lower abdomen or buttocks
The study involved 67 participants: 38 were experiencing
their first episode of psychosis
and 29 were healthy volunteers.
In contrast to other studies,
which have looked at the thalamus of chronically ill patients,
the patients in this study had had
no or only minimal exposure to
antipsychotic medication.
Magnetic resonance imaging
identified differences in the thalamus between the two groups.
The study found that even in the
earliest stages of schizophrenia
the thalamus was smaller than in
healthy people.
These findings suggest that
there is a role for brain imaging
in pinpointing warning signs of
the illness.
Full story in Web Extra at
studentbmj.com
pic pic pic The R W Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute
submitted a new drug application for a seven day
contraceptive patch last month. The Ortho Evra weekly patch
can be worn on a woman's lower abdomen or buttocks
Tracey Maher, London
studentBMJ 2001;09:1-42 February ISSN 0966-6494
