Through
a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a
neurologist and psychiatrist at Columbia University were able to
identify areas of the brain involved in the early stages of
schizophrenia-related psychotic disorders. Activity
in specific regions of the hippocampus is able to predict the onset of
this disease so as to produce an early diagnosis and an opportunity for
the establishment of a drug or therapy to prevent schizophrenia.
The research was published by the Archives of General Psychiatry, September 2009. In the study, researchers scanned the brains of 18 individuals with high risk and have prodromal symptoms and compared with 18 healthy individuals who were followed for 2 years. For those who experience a first episode of psychotic symptoms, was found about 70% of participants had increased activity in the hippocampus called CA1 subregio.
Previous studies have indeed identified a general increase in activity in the area of the hippocampus in chronic schizophrenia. Current research shows that in the early stages of the disease, before symptoms manifest, increased activity in specific regions of the hippocampus may be one of the early detection of this disease continues.
The research was published by the Archives of General Psychiatry, September 2009. In the study, researchers scanned the brains of 18 individuals with high risk and have prodromal symptoms and compared with 18 healthy individuals who were followed for 2 years. For those who experience a first episode of psychotic symptoms, was found about 70% of participants had increased activity in the hippocampus called CA1 subregio.
Previous studies have indeed identified a general increase in activity in the area of the hippocampus in chronic schizophrenia. Current research shows that in the early stages of the disease, before symptoms manifest, increased activity in specific regions of the hippocampus may be one of the early detection of this disease continues.
fMRI is a non-invasive technique that can measure brain metabolism that indicate parts of the brain are active during a particular activity. Mapping or cerebral blood volume maps (CBV) is a method used in fMRI to measure activity indicates an increase or decrease of brain metabolism.
'Brain damage which often happens is difficult to detect through conventional investigation techniques, "said Dr.. Small Herbert Irving, Professor of Neurology at the Sergievsky Center and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain Columbia University. 'It is important to visualize the most affected area in the brain that can give us clues about the cause of the disease.
Currently, there are no checks mempu diagnose schizophrenia at an early stage. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms after eliminating other causes
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