Schizophrenia

HEALTH INFORMATION

Understanding causes, improving treatments

WHAT WE KNOW

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that emerges in adolescence or young adulthood and affects approximately 1 in 100 people in Australia and worldwide. It causes difficulties in thinking and unusual experiences such as hearing unpleasant voices or having false and sometimes bizarre beliefs. People with schizophrenia often avoid family and friends, lack motivation and are often unable to work.

While the exact causes are not known, we believe that genetic and environmental influences combine to create abnormal changes in brain development that cause the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Current treatments are designed to suppress these symptoms and do not target the cause of the disorder. These drugs only partially relieve symptoms and can produce unwanted side effects.

We are currently investigating several new treatments, including the use of an immune treatment, with the aim of improving symptoms and cognitive functioning.

More information

OUR LATEST RESEARCH

Neuregulin Dependent Neuronal Migration and Schizophrenia

PROF CYNDI SHANNON WEICKERT

The path to developing therapies to prevent schizophrenia involves research on how risk genes influence brain development and structure.

Enhancing Neurogenesis in Adult Primate Brain

PROF CYNDI SHANNON WEICKERT

Since brain disease often involves neuronal death, research into strategies to restore neuronal numbers could lead to improved function and recovery in patients.

CATS Study

ASSOC PROF TOM WEICKERT

Canakinumab adjunctive treatment to reduce symptoms and improve cognition in people with schizophrenia displaying elevated blood inflammatory markers

NeuroSleep: A NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence

ASSOC PROF DANNY ECKERT

This project aims to understand the bidirectional relationship between sleep and the brain to test and develop new approaches to treatment for sleep disruption across a range of medical disorders.

Schizotypal personality traits and striatal function

ASSOC PROF TOM WEICKERT

This study tests the relationship among probabilistic association learning , schizotypal personality traits, striatal function and genes important to striatal function.

Canakinumab Add-on Treatment for Schizophrenia (CATS) Study

ASSOC PROF TOM WEICKERT

You are invited to participate in a research study using a human immune cell-line antibody to improve language, memory, and reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

tDCS treatment for auditory hallucinations and thinking problems in schizophrenia

ASSOC PROF TOM WEICKERT

We are recruiting people with schizophrenia to take part in a study of the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) upon thinking problems and some of the symptoms that occur with schizophrenia.

What else is happening in Schizophrenia research at NeuRA?

FEEL THE BUZZ IN THE AIR? US TOO.

Episode 22: Richard Schweizer has schizophrenia, listen as he discusses life after diagnosis

The new issue of the NeuRA Magazine (#18) will arrive in people’s letterboxes this week, but if you haven’t yet signed up for it, or would prefer to read the digital version, you can go here. The issue explores in further detail the new study from Assoc Prof Olivier Piguet’s group, which has confirmed what many anecdotal stories had previously […]

Chelsea Hunter

NeuRA BLOG: New issue of NeuRA Magazine out now

Donate to help those suffering the anguishing roller-coaster of schizophrenia

Tracey lives in southern Sydney. She volunteers at her local community TV station, attends a regular sewing group with friends, and lives in a loving home with her parents. But she has suffered the anguishing roller-coaster of schizophrenia. For over twenty years, Tracey has periodically heard voices. Often, they are cruel and hurtful. They mar her friendships, family and daily life. "It's like a struggle in my brain. Half of me knows the voices are not real, but there's another half which says they are… that strangers in the street are saying these awful things about me." Not only does schizophrenia induce hallucinations and delusions in some people, it can also inhibit people's learning. NeuRA's Dr Thomas Weickert researches the causes of schizophrenia and potential new treatments. You can help fund vital aspects of NeuRA's research which government does not support. This includes equipment, MRI scans, drugs for new treatment trials, and scholarships for our brightest doctoral research students. Thank you.

PhD Completion Seminars 2016

Nasal cells may help diagnose mental illnesses

Neuregulin Dependent Neuronal Migration and Schizophrenia

The path to developing therapies to prevent schizophrenia involves research on how risk genes influence brain development and structure.

SUPPORT OUR RESEARCH