A team of researchers from Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) King’s College London presented the first direct evidence that an increase in the release of serotonin in the frontal cerebral cortex is related to the severity of symptoms schizophrenia.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatrymarks a relevant advance by opening new perspectives for the development of personalized treatments for schizophrenia, a chronic mental condition that It affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide. and for which there is still no specific therapeutic approach.

Research confirmed that people with schizophrenia show a significantly greater release of serotonin in the frontal cortex, a key area for motivation and planning. This increase is associated with symptoms such as social isolation, apathy and the inability to experience pleasure, the researchers described.

These negative symptoms constitute major obstacles to recovery and social and work reintegration. Specialists point out that they represent one of the greatest pending challenges in current psychiatry.

For more than six decades, it has been hypothesized that the serotonin system may play a role in schizophrenia, but until now It had not been demonstrated directly in people diagnosed with this disorder.

The study included 54 participants: 26 with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia and 28 healthy people as a control group.

All participants underwent two tests positron emission tomography (PET) with a selective radiotracer for brain serotonin receptors.

Between the two tests, received a single dose of d-amphetamine, a drug used to stimulate the release of serotonin. The analysis revealed notable reductions in radiotracer binding in both patients and healthy controls.

The key fact is that Serotonin release was significantly greater in the frontal cortex of those with schizophrenia. This phenomenon was closely related to the severity of negative symptoms and a higher degree of functional disability, as reported by the researchers.

The doctor Martin Osugofirst author of the study, underlined the significance of this finding: “Our study, which provides the first evidence that serotonin release is associated with the severity of negative symptoms, is an important step in this field. If we can regulate serotonin, it might be possible to treat these symptoms.”

Furthermore, he highlighted that these results mark only the beginning of a new line of research and stressed the importance of conducting follow-up studies to confirm the hypothesis.

The teacher Oliver Howesteam leader, explained: “Schizophrenia often has a huge impact on people’s lives, especially their motivation and social function. little knowledge about the origin of these symptoms and there are no specific treatmentswhich makes it urgent to look for new approaches.”

The solidity of the results obtained by the IoPPN and published in a peer-reviewed journal reinforces the idea that the brain serotonin system is emerging as a possible drug target. This line of work opens the door to development of interventions specifically targeting the negative symptoms of schizophreniaa traditionally neglected field.

Scientists at King’s College London highlight that having identified a brain system directly linked to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia lays the foundation for future therapies that could make a real difference to the lives of those affected.

The research was carried out with support from the UK Medical Research Council, the Maudsley charity, the Wellcome Trust and the Maudsley Biomedical Research Center at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects approximately 1% of the world’s population, which represents more than 400,000 people in Argentina. According to Group specialists INECO —an organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, which researches the human brain through its INECO Foundation—this condition is manifested through a variety of symptoms, among which hallucinations stand out (perceptions of non-existent images or sounds) and delusional ideas (false beliefs, such as feeling persecuted for no real reason).

Furthermore, the disease impacts the emotions and motivationgenerating emotional flattening and difficulties in maintaining daily activity.

The onset usually occurs between adolescence and 30 years of age. The first signs can be subtle and difficult to distinguish from other changes typical of youth or depressive states: social withdrawal, irritability, unusual thoughts and sleep disturbances.

Often the appearance of An acute episode, known as an “outbreak,” marks the obvious beginning of the condition, with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization of thought.. During these episodes, the person may lose touch with reality, experience intense anxiety, and display disorganized behavior.

The evolution of schizophrenia tends to be chronic, with frequent relapses, especially if treatment is abandoned. Adherence to therapies is key, since 8 out of 10 patients who stop medication experience relapses.

Progressive deterioration, manifested as a decrease in interest, will, and emotional expression, depends on multiple factors, such as the type of schizophrenia, the frequency of episodes, and consistency in treatment.

The diagnosis requires a comprehensive psychiatric and psychological evaluation, which involves both the patient and their family environment. Although there are no specific laboratory tests, neuroimaging studies and neurocognitive evaluations can provide information about brain function, especially memory, attention, and decision making.

Regarding the causes, specialists indicate that schizophrenia is a multi-causal disease, in which genetic and environmental factors combine to alter brain development.

The theory dopaminergic suggests that an increase in dopamine activity in certain brain circuits contributes to the appearance of hallucinations and delusions, while the dopamine hypothesis neurodevelopment suggests that alterations in brain organization, originating even before birth, can predispose to the disease.

There are different clinical forms, such as simple schizophrenia (characterized by apathy and lack of initiative), hebephrenic (juvenile onset and disorganized behavior), paranoid (predominance of delusions and hallucinations) and catatonic (severe motor alterations). Presentation, course, and response to treatment can vary considerably among individuals.

The approach to schizophrenia combines pharmacological treatments—mainly classic and new generation antipsychotics—with psychosocial interventions.