Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Nicotine - Derived Medications for Schizophrenia - Update

As we've covered in our "Smoking and Schizophrenia Report", there seem to be both chemicals that can kill you, and chemicals that can help you - in cigarettes and other tobacco products.

A new report on companies that are focused on taking out just the positive chemicals - and concentrating them in medications - is in this week's Wired magazine. These new medications are targeted at the "cognitive dysfunction" that is a common symptom of schizophrenia. Other approaches currently being researched that may also help people achieve some level of relief from these symptoms include medications like Provigil (modafinil) and computer games that focus on cognitive remediation. The story notes:

"Smoking may be bad for you, but researchers and biotech companies are quietly developing pharmaceuticals that are decidedly good for brains, bowels, blood vessels and even immune systems -- and they're inspired by tobacco's deadly active ingredient: nicotine....

Now drugs derived from nicotine and the research on nicotine receptors are in clinical trials for everything from helping to heal wounds, to depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, anger management and anxiety."

Related Reading:
Nicotine-like Drugs for Schizophrenia

Nicotine-like drug showing positive benefits in schizophrenia

Targacept and Astra Zeneca Agreement

Nicotine for Alzheimers, & Schizophrenia?

Nasal Nicotine Spray Helps with Schizophrenia Symptoms