August 02, 2007

Schizophrenia Symptoms Improved by Mental and Physical Exercise

New research coming out of Australia suggests that mental and physical exercise could have a significant positive impact for people who have schizophrenia.

In the research by Dr Anthony Hannan, along with Dr Caitlin McOmish, Emma Burrows and colleagues, the researchers characterized a genetically altered mouse and discovered that it had schizophrenia-like behaviors, including learning and memory problems, the inability to process complex information, and abnormal responses to particular sensory stimuli.

The scientists found the mouse's condition significantly improved by simply giving them enhanced mental and physical exercise – putting running wheels in their cages, plus interesting items to smell, see and touch.

Not only did the mouse’s schizophrenia-like symptoms ease through this environmental enrichment, but a specific chemical transmitter pathway found to be abnormal in the cerebral cortex of the mice was selectively rescued.

An anti-psychotic drug used by humans also improved the mouse’s condition, indicating that this mouse is a valid model for schizophrenia in humans. Dr Hannan said this discovery could pave the way for the development of better treatments for schizophrenia.

“Through our research, and that of others, we hope a new class of therapeutic drugs will be developed that mimic the effects of environmental enrichment in the brain to treat various brain disorders, possibly including schizophrenia,” Dr Hannan said.

“Pharmaceutical approaches may not be the sole answer for a given brain disorder. People may still need optimal levels of physical and mental activity, as well as a healthy diet, plus the right drugs.

“We have already identified specific molecules that could be targets for what I call ‘enviromimetics’ and these may have relevance for other brain disorders. “However, there are obviously major differences between mice and men, and large-scale clinical trials are needed to identify the most beneficial drugs,“ he said. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that is brought on through a complex interaction of genes and environment.

There is a nature-nurture aspect to schizophrenia because in human identical twins, if one twin develops schizophrenia, there is only a 50% chance the other twin, who has identical genes, will develop the illness.

Source: Research Australia

Related Reading:

Exercise Stimulates The Formation Of New Brain Cells

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Psychiatric Wellness Program

Exercise boosts Cognitive Function

University of Glasgow Report reveals need to improve physical health of people who have schizophrenia

Playing Soccer To Alleviate Symptoms of Schizophrenia


Comments

Hasn't this aspect of schizophrenia already been researched? I’ll be impressed when the mouse speaks up and says it has a God Complex.

Posted by: Salty Davis at August 2, 2007 03:13 PM

What's interesting is the obsession with drugs being the answer! Rather than promoting physical and mental exercise itself WTF is this:“We have already identified specific molecules that could be targets for what I call ‘enviromimetics’ and these may have relevance for other brain disorders. “However, there are obviously major differences between mice and men, and large-scale clinical trials are needed to identify the most beneficial drugs,“ he said.
Do we now need a DRUG to replace physical and mental exercise? Maybe it's because the drugs used to control schizophrenia are so sedating and debilitating patients are no longer able to exercise either their brains or bodies!

Posted by: Magi at August 5, 2007 04:52 PM

Now if only we could find a way of getting rid of the symptoms, rather than improving them !

Posted by: Poindexter at August 6, 2007 05:26 PM

I exercised so much as a federal officer beginning around April 2005 that my doctor forgot that there is no cure for my condition. He did say that exercise is the best medicine. I went off my meds with his blessing and within weeks I had the mother of all relapses. Of course, I was also thrown into an incredibly stressful set of circumstances within weeks of going off of my medicine as well. Perhaps there could be some studies on the chemical changes to one's brain as a result of exercise. For example, a patient could take a lower dose if they complete a required number of push-ups etc. That way, sedatives (downers in the '60's) aren't the only solution for people that just aren't groovy.

Posted by: hmmned at August 10, 2007 10:36 AM

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