Scanning for Specific Biomarkers Could Reveal Schizophrenia

Investigators at the University of California in San Diego (UCSD) believe that a deeper understanding of brain abnormalities can be achieved by taking comprehensive biological measurements from patients suffering from schizophrenia and similar conditions.

A class of chemicals called endophenotypes could be especially useful as a biomarker, the team believes. After they are extensively researched, they could be used as an early diagnostics tool for severe mental disorders, PsychCentral reports.

“Schizophrenia is among the most severe and disabling conditions across all categories of medicine,” UCSD expert Gregory A. Light, PhD, explains. He adds that there are currently no laboratory tests capable of detecting the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Just like is the case with countless other conditions, discovering schizophrenia early on makes any treatment scheme potentially more effective than when applied in the later stages of the condition.