Scientists have taken another step towards a full understanding of how schizophrenia develops. And in doing so, they may also be moving closer towards a cure.
They have identified a connection between schizophrenia and damage to a particular group of brain cells—so-called glial cells—that allow neurons to communicate with each other.
Genetic defects that prevent the cells from developing properly can lead to schizophrenia, shows the new study. It is the first time that glial cells have been identified as a possible cause of schizophrenia.
“We now know that defects in glial cells play an important role in the development of schizophrenia. We also identified a substance that affects the cells, and we’re now testing possible candidates to develop a treatment for the disease,” says Professor Steven A. Goldman from the Center for Basic Translational Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Full story here:
Note that damage to glial cells is thought to be via the cortisol and glucocorticoids that are created and pumped through the brain during stress
The good news is that some research is suggesting that stem cells may help in fixing the problem
See below:
