A new study in Australia revealed that schizophrenia patients can age faster and this could be measured by a simple blood test. Experts participating in the study, stating that the study is the only field, in patients with schizophrenia nerve cells (neurons) directly obtained from the proteins reported.
To date, schizophrenia, autism, dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as neuroderailic diseases, such as the problems in brain development was thought. However, researchers from the University of Melbourne suggest that accelerating brain aging in schizophrenia may also play an important role in the development of this disease. In this study, experts focused on a protein called ‘Neurofilament light chain protein (NFL)’ released from nerve cells (neurons). Normally, as neurons are damaged or age, this protein is released into the blood and brain spinal cord fluid. In diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and MS, the levels of this protein increase.
As a result of the research, NFL levels in schizophrenia patients have increased at an early age and faster than healthy individuals. This reveals that the brains of schizophrenia patients are older than their biologically chronological age. In the same study, there was no similar increase in individuals with bipolar disorder. This shows that there may be a biological difference that distinguishes schizophrenia from other psychiatric disorders. MRI scans also support the brain structurally aging in schizophrenia patients.
Lifestyle factors
Psychiatrist Christos Pantelis of the University of Melbourne said that the lifestyle of schizophrenia patients accelerated this aging. Pantelis, “Social insulation, lack of physical activity, factors such as smoking and substance use adversely affect both mental and physical health. Life expectancy of schizophrenia patients 20-30 years shorter than the general population. The main causes of this is the emergence of age-related diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It can be an important step in the tingling ..
