Scientists have developed a new blood test that revolutionizes the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.
As part of the research, scientists from Indiana Medical University in the US analyzed blood samples taken from patients who had been hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic for about 10 years.
The study, published yesterday in the scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry, found biomarkers in blood samples that indicate a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia in the future.
Biomarker refers to measurable biological values that play an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of a disease.
Among these biomarkers, the researchers reported that indicators that point to the development of hallucinations and delusions were identified.
The scientists also looked at what kind of drugs could treat these blood indicators.
“We have seen that some drugs already on the market have good results if given to the right patients at an early stage,” said Alexander Niculescu, lead author of the study.
Niculescu also emphasized the importance of social support and therapy in mental illnesses and said that more research is needed in this field, especially on the causes and treatment of cognitive disorders.
The new blood test will be made available later this year by MindX Sciences, a pharmaceutical company funded by the university.
