Scientific Breakthrough in Schizophrenia

Recently, a group of psychologists released an article in Neuron describing what has been termed as a scientific breakthrough in regards to schizophrenia. In this article, Dr. Lena Palaniyappan, described how she and her team of researchers have found what may possibly be the cause of delusions and other psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, in schizophrenic patients.

A Map of the Brain

The psychotic symptoms exhibited by schizophrenic patients has, through this research, been linked to a so-called faulty brain switch that enables the mind to switch between objective reality and their inner thoughts. Objective reality is how we see the world through our own mental filters and is shaped by our past conditioning. This switch between the insula and the lateral frontal cortex, when functioning properly, is what allows humans to switch from inner thoughts to what is happening around them. When the switch isn't properly functioning, as in schizophrenic patients, the mind's inner voice becomes reality for the affected person. That is, they begin to hear and see things in their reality that in a normal functioning person, is kept strictly inside the mind.

The Insula

The insula is the part of the brain where our inner thoughts and fantasies take place. It is kept in check by the lateral frontal cortex. In the study, drug use was also shown to disrupt the lateral frontal cortex's ability to keep the insula in check. That is, those who used recreational drugs such as marijuana, also experienced hallucinations and delusions because of the disruption between these two key components of the brain.

Another conclusion from this particular study is that the researchers believe that schizophrenia occurs because of underdevelopment of the brain while in the womb and during early childhood. Studies conducted comparing the brains of schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals, researchers discovered that the insula in schizophrenic patients have smooth, folding patterns covering this particular region of the brain. This particular appearance of the insula gives the impression that the insula is underdeveloped.

An Underdeveloped Toddler Brain

This study concluded that whereas normal patients can swift effortlessly from their insula to their lateral frontal cortex, those with schizophrenia cannot. They exhibit little to no control over their lateral frontal cortex.

With the findings of this study, it is believed that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be the best method of treatment for those with schizophrenia. This form of treatment, which is about to go into its early trial stages, uses magnetic pulses to stimulate malfunctioning brain regions. It may possibly be able to the stimulate the malfunctioning 'switch' between the insula and frontal lateral cortex. With further testing, it is possible that there may soon be an effective, side-affect free treatment for schizophrenic patients.

TMS Treatment

Currently, only 20 percent of those with schizophrenia, which is the most common, severe psychological disorder in the world, make a full recovery. If TMS is successful, it is believed that the successful recovery of schizophrenic patients will become more common.

Links:
Article Published in Reuters
Psych Central Article