NIMH Pages about Schizophrenia

Overview of Schizophrenia…

Find current clinical trials on Schizophrenia…External Link: Please review our disclaimer.

Publications about Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia: A detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping. En Español
Schizophrenia (Easy-to-Read): An easy-to-read booklet on Schizophrenia that explains what it is, when it starts and how to get help.

Science News about Schizophrenia

Gene Regulator in Brain’s Executive Hub Tracked Across Lifespan – NIH study: Press Release • February 02, 2012
For the first time, scientists have tracked the activity, across the lifespan, of an environmentally responsive regulatory mechanism that turns genes on and off in the brain’s executive hub. Among key findings of the study by National Institutes of Health scientists: genes implicated in schizophrenia and autism turn out to be members of a select club of genes in which regulatory activity peaks during an environmentally-sensitive critical period in development.
NIMH RAISE Project Makes Progress as Teams Refine Research Approaches: Science Update • August 09, 2011
Researchers continue to make progress in the NIMH Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) Project, which seeks to intervene at the earliest stages of illness in order to prevent long term disability. Recent refinements to the two RAISE studies will ensure that RAISE continues efficiently, and generates results that will be relevant to consumers and health care policy makers.
Switching Antipsychotics May Reduce Metabolic Risks: Science Update • July 22, 2011
Patients experiencing cardiovascular or metabolic side effects while taking an antipsychotic medication may fare better if they switch to a different medication provided they are closely monitored, according to an NIMH-funded study.
Rare Gene Glitch May Hold Clues for Schizophrenia – NIH-funded Study: Press Release • February 23, 2011
Scientists are eyeing a rare genetic glitch for clues to improved treatments for some people with schizophrenia – even though they found the mutation in only one third of 1 percent of patients.
Mental Decline Thwarted in Aging Rats: Press Release • July 08, 2010
Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

More Science News about Schizophrenia

Posts about Schizophrenia

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances of 2011

By Thomas Insel on December 23, 2011

Dr. Insel shares NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances for 2011.

Psychiatric Genetics: More Pieces of the Puzzle

By Thomas Insel on October 04, 2011

Results of the two largest studies of their kind, to date, have identified new common gene variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The results implicate specific pathways and hold promise for development of new treatments.

Skin cells to neurons: Disease-in-a-dish promises shortcut to discovery

By Thomas Insel on May 13, 2011

An emerging research technology using Induced pluripotent stem cells holds promise as a window into the developing brain in mental illness.

Genomics: “The Future is Bright”

By Thomas Insel on March 01, 2011

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the human genome’s sequencing, the heightening pace of progress promises to a bright future for psychiatric genetics.

How Does Memory Work? The Plot Thickens

By Thomas Insel on February 10, 2011

Rapid progress in understanding how memory works – from the molecular to the behavioral level – holds promise for improved treatment of memory components of mental disorders.

Meeting Summaries about Schizophrenia

Child and Adolescent Onset Schizophrenia: Research Challenges and Opportunities: June 25, 2007 – June 26, 2007
Bethesda, Maryland
In June 2007, NIMH and the NIH ORD convened a meeting for brainstorming and discussion between basic, translational, and clinical investigators to review the current knowledge on causes, neurobiology, developmental trajectory, and treatment of child- and adolescent-onset schizophrenia.
International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM) Meeting: January 20, 2006
Washington, DC
In February 2006, the ISCTM held this meeting by satellite on the NIMH initiative regarding treatment development for negative symptoms of schizophrenia.