The chemical Dopamine acts in the brain’s reward centers. In a normal functioning brain, pleasure and happiness result from its release. In a schizophrenic brain, the overproduction of dopamine leads to auditory hallucinations and frightening, visual hallucinations in the afflicted. Image by John A Jaksich
The grip of Schizophrenia upon the afflicted is described as a trip to perdition-also known as the road to hell. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 21 million people world wide have the disease. The Centers for Disease Control in the US (CDC) estimates 50 percent of those with schizophrenia commit suicide. For the others, the illness leaves them confused and emotionally scarred. Medical professionals have compared schizophrenia to being high on PCP (Angel Dust). And, much like the illicit drug trade, Schizophrenia crisscrosses through all of current society.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia manifests itself in the late teens with hallucinations-voices and horrifying images. While the eventual manifestation can be traced to the early teen years, the last symptoms (evidenced in adulthood) are affected by lifestyle (living conditions).
According to the Schizophrenia Working Group Consortium, there are presently 108 sites upon the genetic code that may be ultimately responsible for symptoms that cripple and mentally maim the afflicted. Because all genetic aspects are not pinned down, what researchers know comes from painstaking autopsies, animal models, Magnetic Resonance Images of the affected brains and the observation of the effects of medications upon the ill.
Researchers have found that the brain structures of these individuals possess incomplete neural connections. This incomplete brain connectivity causes the ill to experience a range of symptoms: from hallucinations and poor thought organization to a lack of emotional expression and depression. Perhaps, the symptoms may be seen as the mind attempting to put together meanings to fragmented thoughts.
Neurochemistry: How does Schizophrenia Originate?
Neurochemistry of schizophrenia is a cauldron of reactions that cannot be isolated in any one center within the brain. The brain of an ill person with schizophrenia looks superficially similar to that of a “healthy” person. However, the chemicals that normally produce coherent thoughts can not do so – the sites in the brain needed to finish a coherent thought are not present. The incomplete brain structure has been altered by a complex set of genetics- that is presently described as non-Mendelian. Non-Mendelian implies other circumstances beyond inheritability from both parents.
Glutamate is implicated in NMDA receptors for symptoms of schizophrenia. Copyright image by John A. Jaksich. All rights reserved.
Of the one hundred and eight genetic sites (previously mentioned) what is clear is the gestation time frames of mothers of the afflicted experienced stresses to their bodies. Other problems (in the afflicted) such as drug abuse or child abuse have factored in as well. In cases of identical twins- if one has schizophrenia, then there is approximately a 50 percent chance that both will be afflicted with the illness, according to the WHO. However, this number is presently being reconsidered. In research performed by multiple groups, schizophrenia strikes those who are genetically predisposed for it, and environmental (chemical or biological) factors seem to play a much larger role.
The associated neurochemistries of Schizophrenia, at first manifestations, flood dopamine around the dopaminergic receptors and the extra dopamine is bound to ‘foreign’ neuroreceptors – this causes the afflicted individual to hear voices and experience visual hallucinations. Once the hallucinations recede through treatment with medications such as Thorazine, Haldol or an atypical medication such as Risperdal, the illness still progresses.
Most treatment regimens are hard pressed to alleviate symptoms such as ‘flat, expressionless, emotional states.’ The neurochemistries associated with flat emotions correspond to glutamate functions in the brain. The primary receptor associated with glutamate function is known as the NMDA receptor-it has a long history of investigation. The administration of glycine and serine (amino acids) affect NMDA receptors and other regions of the brain, as well. However, poor penetration past the Blood Brain Barrier of the amino acids has proved to be a daunting area of research. Neurochemists and medicinal chemists continue to experiment in this area.
Can We Chemically and Physically Describe Schizophrenia?
A brain affected with Schizophrenia has three generalized symptoms: psychosis, a loss of emotion, and reduction in cognitive abilities (lower IQ). Psychiatrists term these as ‘Positive, Negative, and Cognitive.’ The terms correlate to a positive or over-production of Dopamine, an absence of Glutamate function and problems with thought organization. However, all result from brain structures with neurochemical imbalances. The onset of Schizophrenia produces an excess of dopamine in the regions of the brain that can not handle the excess- leading to the hallucinations. In addition, when compared to the general population, the ill have less brain mass and volume.
The Possibility of Hope?
Treatment orthodoxies for Schizophrenia have changed in the past decade. However, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and medical researchers are pursuing a multitude of strategies. One strategy is to identify individuals with the potential for schizophrenia; the hope is to identify potential biomarkers. Biomarkers are characteristic biochemicals that can be identified at treatment and disease junctures. Once biomarkers are identified in a disease, doctors may find it easier to treat the afflicted and implement preventative measures.
The extent and depth of hallucinations is a key to how the illness progresses. Understanding potential biomarkers in the future, in the disease of schizophrenia, offers the hope of a better outcome.
Schizophrenia: Disease of the Brain
Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. Present treatment procedures need to concentrate on preventative measures for those at risk. The drug pipeline for Schizophrenia is almost bare; however, finding potential biomarkers is a step in the positive direction to alleviating the suffering of the afflicted.
For some, the descent to hallucinations and incapacitation becomes a long and lonely journey. This life journey may be marked by hospitalizations and suicide attempts. The trip is not for the meek.
© Copyright 2016 John A. Jaksich, All rights Reserved. Written For: Decoded Science
Hello, Vincent!
I have known a few individuals with schizophrenia. I did wonder about their collective state — if you can pardon the expression. Sigmund Freud (I believe) did state that psychiatry dealt with the healing of the soul. Carl Jung seemed to go down that path as well. If you were to look at statistics regarding some of the most heinous crimes committed in the 20th century- most individuals are classified as being mentally ill. Individuals such Hitler and Stalin may have been afflicted with mental illness.
While Sir Winston Churchill is known to have suffered depressive episodes- and may have suffered Bipolar Disorder.
The point being-
For good or bad- many of us suffer from mental illness in one form or another. What drives us to good or bad is somewhat of a mystery- chemically speaking. I will PM you with further info.
Thank you for your comments.
Schizophrenia isn’t like ANY kind of being high!
What would I know, I’m just a crazy schizo.
Yes, its a trip to hell,(Nowhere), WHO or CDC has not grouped symptoms of schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder or there is a narrow invisible line between these two disorders, there are many overlapping symptoms one can see in Very late Onset of schizophrenia(65y). Delirium and schizophrenia is there any Laboratory tests?
The facial expression of the person changes when he/she is undergoing Hallucination, Delusions etc
Nurture/Nonmendelian inheritance can be changed by eating Satvik Foods, Lifestyle Modifications,Positive Thoughts, Trust and Belief on others. Not being too much greedy for money, name and fame(if one gets it its fine, if not you are frustrated and show symptoms of a mental disorder
Can saliva be the Biomarker?
Thank You for the Abstract Article
Interesting article. I have known a few persons at varying ages with this condition. The two oldest, seniors, committed suicide. Sad.
Thank you for doing the research and writing an article that is easy to read and understand.
Thank you, Jessica-
My best wishes to you.:)
I’ve known a number of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. One, under the older classifications, was labelled as hebephrenic schizophrenic. He would smear excrement. Another talked to people as she smoked excessively, walking along. One needn’t be schizophrenic to be delusional and hear voices. Some medications can induce this trait in susceptible individuals. I met another fellow once who talked to me in a non-stop stream of words, including the phrase, “the basketball-playing salesmen.” You know what his diagnosis was… Thanks for the interesting article, John.
Hi, Vince-
Kurt Godel, the mathematician and contemporaneous friend of Albert Einstein, was schizophrenic. Brilliant mathematician but essentially starved himself to death. The academic world needed him at the time for the “non-provability theorem” — of which he is presently famous. He also contributed to the Einstein’s theories of relativity. I often wonder what roads evolution may take us when people like this were more sane but still possessed aspects of brilliance.
I thought I’d re-respond about the girl I reference in my comment above that walked along, smoking like a smoke stack, hearing voices (and talking in response). Although such symptoms are classic schizophrenic, I once asked her: “To whom are you talking?” She said (in her distant way) “To Watcher. He tells me dirty jokes.” So what? Well, “Watcher” is a kind of descriptive name given to angels in the Bible book of Daniel. See Daniel Chapter 4, verses 13 and 23, for example. Now the Bible speaks of demons. That is, disapproved angels who came to earth to engage in sexual relations with human women (see Genesis Chapter 6). Watcher, invisible person, dirty jokes… It made me wonder.