Scientists have found a possible common cause for two symptoms of schizophrenia

Scientists from Sweden and Japan have proposed a new explanation of what happens in the brain in schizophrenia.

The focus is on dopamine, a substance that helps us learn from experience and understand what brings "reward".

Normally, the brain is constantly linking :

• cause
• action
• result

For example: the smell of food → you can eat → you'll be full.

Research has shown: if this system is not working properly, the brain starts to confuse the connections.

Details

"The brain incorrectly links motivation and reward," explains Arvind Kumar, one of the authors of the work.

As a result, two effects occur at once:

1. Loss of motivation

The person is less aware of what something is for.

Even familiar things (eating, socialising, acting) are no longer perceived as "worth the effort".

2. Delusions

The brain starts looking for reasons where there are none, and connects events incorrectly.

For example:

• a random coincidence may seem important
• neutral events may seem significant or threatening

Why it's important

Previously, these symptoms were often considered separately.

A new study shows

they may be linked by a single mechanism

This simplifies understanding of the disease and could help future treatments.

"If this mechanism is confirmed, it could help in the development of more precise therapies," the researchers note.

Background

The scientists created a computer model of how the brain works that shows how humans learn from reward and experience.

The model allowed them to see what happens when this system becomes "out of sync."

Delirium and loss of motivation in schizophrenia may be linked to the same malfunction - the brain stops correctly understanding what is happening and why.

Source

Journal of Neuroscience