Schizophrenia with Dr. Cummings: Controversies, Brain Science, Crime, History, Exercise, Successful Treatment

In this episode, Dr. Puder addresses the fascinating realm of schizophrenia with Dr. Cummings, a previous guest in the show. Dr. Cummings is a psychiatrist with a wealth of experience from working at Patton State Hospital in California, one of the biggest forensic hospitals in the world.

Defining SchizophreniaSwedish survey about misperceptions of the environment found that roughly 50% of the population have had misperceptions that could be considered psychotic in nature.The Loss of Brain in SchizophreniaSchizophrenic patients lose 2% of brain mass per year for the first 5 year in the course of illness.Living with Schizophrenia and Perception of RealityAre Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia Precipitated by Medications?The Pathology, Biology, and Genetics of SchizophreniaCannabis Use and Risk For SchizophreniaCounter-arguments Against Robert Whitaker’s “Anatomy of an Epidemic”    Emil Kraepelin, and the Early Studies on SchizophreniaThe majority of schizophrenic patients during Kraepelin’s observation became vegetative in their 40s.After the advent of antipsychotic medications, schizophrenic patients are able to function until their 70s-80sGitlin 2001 Neuroleptic Discontinuation StudyExacerbation or relapse was almost universal within 2 years in those who discontinued antipsychoticsSchizophrenia Prevention in High Risk PopulationAustralian study on children of schizophrenic parents (Yung, 2011)Australian Study on Children of Schizophrenic ParentsCrime, Violence, Mass Shootings and SchizophreniaMedical Management of Schizophrenia1st Break PsychosisLong-acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Early IllnessMedication AdherenceExerciseExercise for schizophrenia increased hippocampal size by 12% vs. -1% for non exercising groups of patients (Pajonk, 2010)Lifestyle, Diet Optimization

 

 

Gitlin, M., Nuechterlein, K., Subotnik, K. L., Ventura, J., Mintz, J., Fogelson, D. L., ... & Aravagiri, M. (2001). Clinical outcome following neuroleptic discontinuation in patients with remitted recent-onset schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(11), 1835-1842.

Pajonk, F. G., Wobrock, T., Gruber, O., Scherk, H., Berner, D., Kaizl, I., ... & Backens, M. (2010). Hippocampal plasticity in response to exercise in schizophrenia. Archives of general psychiatry, 67(2), 133-143.

Yung, A. R., & Nelson, B. (2011). Young people at ultra high risk for psychosis: research from the PACE clinic. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 33, s143-s160.