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schizophrenia

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Researchers from the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin and the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland have identified a genetic factor which contributes to the development of schizophrenia.

In conjunction with scientists at Cardiff University, Stanford University, Stanley Medical Research Institute and Duke University, the Irish team established that there exist abnormal vessels which essentially threaten the structure which delivers blood to the brain – a factor which can give rise to the development of the mental health disorder.

Focussing on a chromosomal abnormality known as 22q11 deletion syndrome, researchers ascertained that changes to these genes can affect the blood brain barrier, and leaves those with the syndrome 20 times more likely to develop schizophrenia.

Dr Matthew Campbell, Assistant Professor in Neurovascular Genetics at Trinity, provided an insight into the significance of the discovery, and the impact it can have on those living with the condition.

"The concept of tailoring drugs to regulate and treat abnormal brain blood vessels is a novel treatment strategy and offers great potential to complement existing treatments of this debilitating disease," he said.

Elaborating on the use of cardiovascular drugs in the treatment of cerebral conditions, he added: "While it is very well accepted that improving cardiovascular health can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks, we now believe that drugs aimed at improving cerebrovascular health may be an additional strategy to treating brain diseases in the future."

The findings have been published in the journal of Molecular Psychiatry.

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New research published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, has found that people who suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, are twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Scientists found that 65% of participants who were schizophrenic, were also deficient in Vitamin D.

Schizophrenia is more common in countries with cold climates, as the skin produces Vitamin D after exposure to sunlight.

Dr Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, one of the research authors said: “Our findings support the theory that vitamin D may have a significant impact on psychiatric health. More research is needed to determine how the growing problem of vitamin D deficiency may be affecting our overall health.”

You can get your vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, supplements and foods such as cod liver oil, fish and eggs.

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