Could New Blood Test Forecast Schizophrenia Risk?

There is no single examine for schizophrenia, its medical diagnosis is based on evaluations from mental health professionals. But now, a novel research claims a blood test could figure out who is at great risk of schizophrenia and other types of psychosis, enabling earlier therapy and better results.

The study team, which includes Dr. Diana O, presented their results in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.

Schizophrenia is a psychological health problem that impacts about 24 million individuals globally, the equivalent to 7 individuals in every 1,000. The problem is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, dysfunctional feelings and distressed body movements.

It is well recognized that the earlier an individual gets treatment for schizophrenia, the superior the outcome. With respect to Dr. Perkins and co-workers, this indicates that therapy while in the prodromal phase of the illness – when signs first appear – could decrease the threat of severe symptoms or impairment.

But the team notices that a hurdle to early therapy for schizophrenia and other types of psychosis is the incapability to recognize who is at highest threat for the situations. Could their research results break down this hurdle?

Blood test properly recognized which sufferers developed psychosis

Past studies, the scientists say, have showed that sufferers with schizophrenia have irregular levels of markers of swelling, oxidative stress, metabolism and hormones.

With this in thoughts, the group examined blood samples of 32 sufferers with symptoms that recommended a high threat for psychosis, together with blood samples of 35 control patients. They desired to see if existence of the above mentioned markers could estimate which subjects went on to develop psychosis.

All individuals were clinically evaluated every 6 months and were observed for up to 2 years.

The team identified that among the 32 sufferers at great risk of psychosis, they were perfectly capable to recognize those who went on to develop psychosis via the presence of 15 particular markers, or analytes, in their blood.

Of these sufferers, 14 had schizophrenia, 13 had un-specified psychosis, 2 had major depression with psychotic characteristics, 1 had bipolar disorder, 1 had schizom affective disorder and 1 had delusional disorder.

Leaving comments on their results, Dr. Perkins states that:

“While additional study is needed before this blood test could be clinically accessible, these outcomes offer proof concerning the basic nature of schizophrenia, and point toward new paths that could be focuses on for preventative treatments.”

The scientists note it is essential that this blood test is used to evaluate other sufferers at high risk of psychosis in order to evaluate its reproducibility.

“More research is needed, however, as there are possibly many other combinations of analytes with utility in psychosis risk forecast, and a blood analysis could be put together with other clinical, imaging, or electrophysiological methods related with development to psychosis in clinical high-risk patients,” they add.

All round, they conclude that their results show promise in determining new objectives for psychosis protection and highlight the need for more research in this field.