Cancer Drug Relieves Some Schizophrenia Symptoms in Mice

Researchers have uncovered a molecular pathway that is altered during the onset of schizophrenia. They then used a cancer drug currently in advanced clinical trials to reduce symptoms of the illness in mice.

Investigators believe the finding may one day lead to new pharmacological approaches for schizophrenia.

The research, published online in the journal Brain, is from a group led by neurobiologist Peter Giese, Ph.D., at King’s College London.

Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide. The illness is a long-term  condition that causes a number of psychological symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions as well as behavior changes.

The exact cause of the illness is unknown, although it is generally believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of people with untreated schizophrenia are in developing countries.

Current treatments for schizophrenia include behavioral approaches such as psychotherapy, counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. However, many of the antipsychotic drugs or major tranquillizers used to treat or manage the illness have significant side effects.

“For the first time we have found that an enzyme activator called p35 is reduced in patients with schizophrenia and moreover; modeling this reduction in mice led to cognitive impairment typical for this disease,” Giese said.

“This gives us a better understanding of the changes that occur in the brain during the onset of schizophrenia.”

According to experts, a protein called Cdk5 is necessary for proper brain development. The creation of Cdk5 results, in part, by the presence of an enzyme in the brain, called p35.

In a study of human post-mortem brains, there was approximately 50 percent less p35 in the brains of patients who had suffered from schizophrenia.

These molecular changes were then modeled and monitored in mice that had been modified to contain a comparable reduction in the p35 enzyme.

As a result of this reduction in p35, the mice showed a reduction in synaptic proteins – important in maintaining neural connections – and displayed symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including learning impairments and inability to react to sensory stimuli.

Understanding this signalling pathway and the impact of low levels of p35 is important in finding potential future treatments for the disease.
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Survival Tips for Singles During the Valentine’s Season

Are you one of those people who is alone on what is purported to be the most romantic day of the year?

Is there any day that reminds singles more of how they are NOT part of a couple?

You cannot go to the store...the GROCERY store...without being bombarded with cards, flowers and hearts.

How nice to see those many reminders to keep bringing up the fact that “Lover’s Day” is just around the corner. It is hard for those not in a relationship. Even worse for those recently out of a relationship, especially if the end was not their choice.

Who doesn’t want to be in love? Just about everyone wants to have that special person to hold hands with through their lives.

What can you do to survive, maybe even thrive, through these days that stretch long before and even after February 14 as friends and co-workers share their own valentine day stories.

Here are a few suggestions:

Shake hands with the fact that you are alone. If this is a new experience for you, maybe some grieving is in order. Then find a way to let go and recognize that your life is not over and, while you may not be a romantic relationship, there are most likely quite a few people who do love you. Spend a little time acknowledging your “singleness” and then find ways to concentrate on the positives in your other relationships.

Love yourself. When sad or negative thoughts and feelings enter your head or heart, acknowledge them and then replace them with loving and positive thoughts and feelings about yourself and your life. This may be a good time to begin a gratitude journal.

Treat yourself. You deserve it. Be a good valentine to yourself and think about what you would most like. Presents might be good. Consider about making the day special as well. Have a nice dinner or evening that involves only what makes you feel good. (A bubble bath, special non-romantic movie, a favorite book with music.)

Invite other single friends to join you in a “celebrating being single” on Valentine’s Day party.

Do something that you have never done before, either on your own or invite a friend to do it with you. It is a great confidence builder as you experience new things. Also, different experiences make for a more interesting person.

Do something for someone else. Take a young family member out to dinner and a movie, bake something for your neighbors, send flowers to a nursing home. Get out of your head with thoughts of how unhappy you are and think about others.

Romantic relationships do not define a person. We each define ourselves. Being single does not make anyone less of a person. There are so many other parts of each of us that define who we are.

Remember your accomplishments, people who have loved and still love you, significant events during your life. Enjoy this time for the good that is here. Focus on the present. The future is to come.
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