| The new research about causes of schizophrenia, | | | | down the levels of dopamine in the brain. This is |
| about brain chemistry and its link to schizophrenia are | | | | what the new type of antipsychotics are trying to |
| made. And most of them are based in studying the | | | | do. |
| brain and his activity. Neurotransmitters, substances | | | | The new atypical antipsychotics include risperidone |
| that allow communication between nerve cells, have | | | | (Risperdal), clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa), |
| long been thought to be involved in the development | | | | quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon). From |
| of schizophrenia. In present they are an important | | | | this, clozapine can undo the effects that PCP cause |
| point of research. Dopamine and glutamate | | | | on mice. Also, the new class of antipsychotics have |
| neurotransmitters are probably involved in causes of | | | | fewer side effects than the classic have. |
| schizophrenia. | | | | Another study was made by administrating the amino |
| Several studies was made on mice. The symptoms | | | | acids glycine and D-serine to patients that were |
| of schizophrenia may be caused by high levels of the | | | | having standard medication. This patients showed |
| chemical glutamate in the brain. Glutamate is a | | | | improvement in positive symptoms and decline in |
| neurotransmitter, one of a group of chemicals that | | | | cognitive and negative symptoms. D-cycloserine, a |
| pass messages between nerve cells. Giving mice | | | | medicine that is used treating tuberculosis, have |
| phencyclidine (PCP), which increases the transmission | | | | similar effects with those amino acids, and it could be |
| of glutamate between neurons in the brain, they | | | | useful in treating schizophrenia too. |
| develop behavioral abnormalities (like schizophrenic | | | | In present the treatment of schizophrenia is having |
| patients). They become agitated and less adept at | | | | an important improvement and the symptoms of |
| performing tasks that involve short term memory | | | | schizophrenia are very well controlled. |
| and decision making skills. | | | | Visit my Schizophrenia website for more information |
| Finding this, the next step was to find a medicine to | | | | on this subject. Also, don't forget to check out the |
| stop or the transmission of glutamate, or to come | | | | Symptoms Of Schizophrenia page. |