Did you know that science can tell us more about outer space than it can about the deepest parts of our world’s oceans? In much the same way, we may think we know everything about the human brain, but it seems there’s even more to be learned, especially when it comesto psychosis.
Scientists at Monash University in Australia have modeled how “the effects of psychosis spread through the brain, allowing [researchers] to isolate areas where these changes may originate from and which could be targeted by therapies designed to reduce the disease’s progression.”
Their findings, published in the September 20 issue of JAMA Psychiatry, express how researchers created a map of brain changes seen in people experiencing new and later stages of psychosis. The hippocampus, which is known as the site of the brain’s memory storage operations, was identified as the location for early brain changes brought on by psychosis.
“This finding could potentially guide therapies that can target this area of the brain, potentially limiting the impact of the illness or perhaps even reducing the risk of psychosis onset,” said Dr. Sid Chopra of the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and Monash University’s School of Psychological Sciences.
Four groups of individuals experiencing all stages of psychosis – more than 500 people in total – were tested using MRI to look at changes in their brains’ grey matter. Changes measured within the grey matter that originated within the hippocampus were carried across the brain by neural connections.
“We found that the pattern of gray matter change seen in psychosis is not randomly distributed across the brain but is shaped by a complex network of structural connections—in a very similar way to how we see the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in the brain,” Dr. Chopra said.
Answered: Google’s Most Searched Questions about Psychosis
Clearly, I spend a lot of time wondering about (and writing about) psychosis. And, just like you, I often turn to Google to see what the latest research can tell me. But sometimes it’s helpful to get a different perspective and see what others are wondering. Here’s a few of the most asked questions about psychosis (and their answers) according to Google:
- What is the number one cause of psychosis? If you’re a follower of this blog, you’ll know that there is no single cause. Sometimes it’s trauma. Other times, it’s drug usage or brain chemistry. The National Institute of Mental Health says, “Psychosis appears to result from a complex combination of genetic risk, differences in brain development, and exposure to stress or trauma.”
- Will I ever be normal again after psychosis? We’re so glad you asked! This organization is living proof that the answer is yes. Earlypsychosis.ca says “Most people make a good recovery, and their symptoms disappear. An increased understanding of psychosis has led to new interventions to help young people recover.”
- Will psychosis ever be cured? This is something that should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. There is no magic pill that can sweep away psychosis forever. Rather, each patient needs to find the right combination of treatments that work best for them. Mind.org.uk says, “with the right support it is possible to manage the symptoms of psychosis and recover. This does not mean that the experience of psychosis will go away entirely. You may find that you still experience symptoms during and after treatment.”
- What is the last stage of psychosis? Recovery! That’s right – getting better is the final stage. “During this stage, the symptoms of psychosis will lessen and the person will be able to return to a normal routine,” confirms The Recovery Village.com.