“The team found individuals with schizophrenia have smaller volume in the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, nucleus accumbens and intracranial space than controls, and larger pallidum and ventricle volumes.”
If one understands the principle functions of each of these areas of the brain, one can see why sz (and other psychopathologies) are connected to few numbers of cell bodies in these regions. For example:
The hippocampus plays an important role in the formation of new memories about experienced events (episodic or autobiographical memory).[22][26]
The amygdala performs a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional reactions.
The thalamus has multiple functions. It may be thought of as a kind of hub of information. It is generally believed to act as a relay between different subcortical areas and the cerebral cortex… plays an important role in regulating states of sleep and wakefulness.[11] It is [via its connection to the hippocampus] crucial for human episodic memory.
The nucleus accumbens has a significant role in the cognitive processing of motivation, pleasure, and reward and reinforcement learning, and hence has significant role in addiction.[3][4] It plays a lesser role in fear, impulsivity, and the placebo effect.[5][6][7]
What? How dare you! It’s obviously a spiritual condition resulting from the decadence of mankind as a whole! Stop spoiling The Narrative. How dull, boring, and uninformed of you.
No arguments there. Especially after digging into the epigenetics of psychosis. 'Cause all of those little clusters of cell bodies are affected by all the stress induced by… “the decadence of mankind as a whole!”
Well, yes, but are we talking the politically correct types of stress that can only be fixed through vigorous social justice? I mean, transgendered washrooms! We need those! And safe spaces. From privlege. Those things.
It could be abilify. My memory took a big nosedive on abilify. Much worse than the previous med I was on. I have to use my phone for everything now, including keeping track of whether I’ve taken abilify!
Could be. But I’ve had serious memory problems all since my psychosis in 2010. Can’t even remember the posts here. Have to read them over and over until I know what to answer. Long posts make me confused.
Me on Risperdal risperidone, Inxeral propanolol and Clonidine back in '97. Massively confused. Crawling on the floor stuff. Feh. (Had some incredible dreams, though. It was like I was dead when I was awake and alive when I was asleep.)
Although this may affirm the idea we’re “different” in many people’s minds, I don’t see how this has any practical value for those of us suffering, and these claims have been made for decades now, so it is nothing new really. Let me guess, you will make an auspicious claim that we just have to wait 20+ years for a cure based on these findings?
Actually, less than 20 years. But it will not be a “cure” so much as a much better mechanism for medicinal as well as therapeutic intervention via the “epigenetic” route. (The field of “epigenetics” is very new… but very promising… vis all manner of medical problems.)
I wouldn’t go totalistic and dismiss this stuff out of hand based on conditioning and past experience. I am living proof that – though they may be needles in haystacks – finding appropriate medicinal and psychotherapeutic interventions for each *individual" patient’s set of circumstances can and will “work.”
I’m convinced that there isn’t going to be any changes. Things will keep on rolling on the same principles. In 50 years meds didn’t change that much besides side effects. And the main purpose isn’t to get rid of side effects, it’s for the illness to disappear. If we deem an illness incurable when killing all hope for the persons with that illness that are alive and will live.
Like the Big Time Pros say, while it may seem to be comforting to have “closure” about an issue, it’s almost always self-limiting… as well as hope-killing. I keep the door open for the possibilities.
