A new blood test predicts psychosis risk for precise treatment, gene mutations allow different populations to thrive at extreme altitudes, and polycystic ovary syndrome is linked to cognitive decline in midlife.
A new blood test can accurately predict psychosis risk and guide precise treatment, revolutionizing early diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Genetic mutations in the EPA S1 gene enable high-altitude populations to thrive by efficiently utilizing oxygen, offering insights into altitude sickness treatments.
Deep dives
Breakthrough Blood Test for Schizophrenia Diagnosis
A breakthrough blood test has been developed by researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine, allowing accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia by detecting specific biomarkers. Schizophrenia is notoriously difficult to diagnose early due to symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, impacting over 3 million Americans. The new test, detailed in Molecular Psychiatry, predicts psychotic behaviors using blood samples, guiding precision treatments and potentially uncovering biological mechanisms behind the disorder.
Genetic Adaptations for High Altitude Living
The Quechua people in Peru and Tibetan highlanders exhibit genetic variants in the EPA S1 gene for efficient oxygen usage at high altitudes, despite being geographically distant populations. This genetic similarity suggests convergent evolution in adapting to low oxygen environments. The rare genetic mutation aids in utilizing oxygen effectively, potentially offering insights into treatments for altitude sickness.
Cognitive Impacts of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting up to 10% of women, has been linked to memory issues and accelerated brain aging in midlife. A substantial study with a long-term observation of over 900 women for 30 years revealed that women with PCOS showed lower scores in cognitive tests, particularly in memory, attention, and verbal abilities. Recognizing this connection may lead to early interventions targeting cardiovascular health and mental well-being for improved outcomes.
Today, you’ll learn about a new blood test that can detect signs of psychosis and guide precision treatment, a gene mutation that happened in two different high altitude populations thousands of years apart, and new findings of the mental impacts of polycystic ovary syndrome.