RESEARCH PROJECTS - Full Description
Project TitleAn Inflammatory Biomarker Study of Psychosis: a Longitudinal Study in an At Risk Population
Project DescriptionSchizophrenia is among the most expensive disorders in terms of quality of life and societal cost. While treatments are inadequate early intervention has been shown to be clinically effective. Consequently, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder so that we can identify and treat earlier. Growing evidence for an inflammatory component to the disorder has clear implications for early identification, treatment and potentially prevention. The evidence is several-fold; 1. Prenatal maternal infection, and elevated markers of inflammatory processes, during the postnatal period and early childhood, increase the risk of subsequent schizophrenia. 2. Subjects with schizophrenia show evidence of increased blood markers of inflammation. 3. Recent postmortem brain research suggests that there may be an inflammatory subtype of the disease. 4. Preliminary evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory agents may have therapeutic effects in schizophrenia. In addition there is genetic and neuroimaging support for an inflammatory contribution to the disorder.
Leading PICotter David, RCSI
Co investigators Stan Zammit, Cardiff University
Mary Cannon, RCSI
Mary Clarke, RCSI
Patrick Dicker, RCSI
Melanie Foecking, RCSI
Funding SourceHRB Health Research Award


Close Window