New track in the understanding schizophrenia. A French study published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin highlights the existence of a link between chronic peripheral inflammation and cognitive deficit in schizophrenia, reveals the FondaMental foundation, a scientific cooperation network in mental health. “Inflammation is a natural process that allows the body to defend itself against attacks“explains the foundation. But when the inflammation goes out badly, it becomes” chronic “and constitutes a problem for the health by affecting cognitive abilities.
Lower IQ and impaired cognitive functions
This study, carried out by the neuropsychologist Ewa Bulzacka and the psychiatrist Guillaume Fond of the Groupement Hospitalier Universitaire (GHU) Henri Mondor de Créteil, was carried out on 369 schizophrenic patients between 2011 and 2015, through 10 FondaMental Expert Centers.
They then observed that participants who presented with chronic peripheral inflammation had a intelligence quotient (IQ) lower than the others, and that their cognitive functions (memory, concentration, learning and reasoning skills) were generally impaired. Gold, “intellectual functioning is essential for the general functioning of people with schizophrenia“, specifies the FondaMental foundation.”It is about the capacities of memory and concentration which make it possible to work, to have a social life and to organize its days. Cognitive impairment is the biggest source of disability for people with schizophrenia“She adds. The authors of the study therefore propose the hypothesis that inflammation could lead to” premature aging “of the brains of people with schizophrenia. This phenomenon could nevertheless be reversible.
Prevent inflammation to protect the brain
These results offer new ways of managing schizophrenic patients. At present, the only treatment implemented for cognitive impairment is cognitive remediation, which involves re-teaching the patient to concentrate and remember. The authors of the study recommend focusing therapeutic research on preventing chronic inflammation, so as to avoid all the factors that promote it, “to better protect the brain and improve the prognosis of schizophrenia“. Thereby, “adding anti-inflammatory drugs, omega 3, N-acetyl-cysteine (an antioxidant amino acid), vitamin D, changes in diet and physical activity may improve cognition in people with schizophrenia»Explains the FondaMental foundation. “The application of these personalized recommendations within the framework of consultations in FondaMental Expert Centers, associated with the follow-up of patients over three to five years, will allow us to determine whether these recommendations are effective in improving inflammation and associated cognitive disorders.“reveal the authors of the study.
>> To read also:
Schizophrenia: a game would improve patients’ lives
My schizophrenic friend does not want any more treatment what to do?
Schizophrenia: the mystery of auditory hallucinations unveiled
Schizoid and schizophrenic, does that mean the same thing?
