Schizophrenia
Is a chronic mental disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. Symptoms may include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not real), delusions (false and bizarre thoughts), thought and speech disorders, loss of interest in daily activities, and decreased emotion and motivation.
People with schizophrenia may have difficulty understanding what is real and what is not. They may also have difficulty communicating with others, working or participating in social activities.
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that can be caused by several factors, including genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain and environmental factors such as stress. It is important to note that schizophrenia does not mean having a multiple personality or being violent. With proper treatment, many people with schizophrenia can live productive and satisfying lives.
Researchers have identified several potential biomarkers for schizophrenia. Some examples include:
1. Neuroimaging biomarkers: Structural and functional abnormalities of the brain have been found in people with schizophrenia, and these abnormalities can be detected using a variety of neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These biomarkers can provide information about changes in brain volume, connectivity, and activity that are associated with schizophrenia.
2. Blood biomarkers: Several studies have examined biomarkers in the blood of people with schizophrenia,
3. Markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and neurotransmitter activity. For example, elevated levels of cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), have been found in people with schizophrenia, suggesting an inflammatory response in the body.
4. Genetic biomarkers: Schizophrenia is known to have a genetic component and researchers have identified several genetic variations
5. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)