Progressive Brain Tissue Loss in Schizophrenia

"Insanity, then, is inordinate or irregular, or impaired action of the mind, of the instincts, sentiments, intellectual, or perceptive powers, depending upon and produced by an organic change in the brain." Dr. W. A. F. Brown (England, 1837)

There is a significant loss of gray matter in the brain in schizophrenia. This has been found to be progressive, refuting the popular, but false, neurodevelopmental theory. This research was done by UCLA scientists Thompson et al in 2001.

Manic-Depressive Disorder

In this disease a number of positive findings have been reported, including enlarged amygdala and white matter hyperintensities. Structural and functional abnormalities have been reported in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia

Decreased prefrontal brain function has been reported in schizophrenia. The PET technique was used. "Hypofrontality in neuroleptic-naive patients" was observed in 1992 by Andreasen et al.

Haslam (1809) found that "the lateral ventricles were very much enlarged". The term "schizophrenia" had not yet been invented. The term "insanity" was used at that time. Haslam's result has been confirmed ever since then.

A Theory for the Weary

The articles are being written on an increasingly complex level, so it is best to read the simple ones first. I am forced to write on a profound level because the theory is not simple. The theory is far more complex than Darwin's theory and Einstein's theory of relativity. There is some connection to evolution because diseases are often mistakes in evolution. The diseases are steps backward in the progress of the species.

Genetics

In 1968 Linus Pauling proposed schizophrenia as a genetic error. In reality there may be a number of different genetic errors causing different kinds of schizophrenia. Thus Pauling's theories, although good, were too simple. Pauling was probably influenced by the views of Hoffer & Osmond, who favored a nutritional approach. Osmond perhaps deserved the Noble Prize for a brilliant 1952 paper, but never got it. The paper created a sensation, and Hoffer soon joined Osmond in his quest. Pauling joined the troops in the 60's. Even prior to Osmond there was a brilliant 1940 British paper by Stockings, who proposed a mescaline-like substance as causing schizophrenia. Stocking's theory was adopted and modified in 1952 by Osmond & Smythies. The theory was endorsed by Harley-Mason, a brilliant chemist. In 1962 reports by Friedhoff & Van Winkle supported the DMPEA theory (invented by Osmond & Smythies in 1952). It seems that DMPEA was only found in schizophrenics.

A study published recently in Archives of General Psychiatry (2003) showed a genetic defect in the enzyme COMT in schizophrenia. This strongly supports many reports by the late Arnold Friedhoff, who claimed abnormal methylation in schizophrenia. Also supported are the views of Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer of Canada. Osmond put forward this theory in 1952, and it was confirmed by Friedhoff and van Winkle in 1962.

The NIMH Study

In the September 2003 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, a report appeared by Goldberg et al on schizophrenia. Amoung this group was Weinberger, who previously advocated the neurodevelopmental theory for years despite a century's worth of reports of gliosis, which is incompatible with the theory. Weinberger finally gave up on this theory after an MRI study showed progressive changes in the brain in schizophrenia. Progressive changes are also incompatible with the bogus neurodevelopmental theory. The NIMH group uses tests to measure "cognitive dysfunction". In particular "prefrontal cortical function" was studied. "A significant COMT genotype effect was found." The authors concluded that neuropsychiatric disorders have "complex genetic etiologies". This is what Linus Pauling said for years.

COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) metabolizes dopamine. This work supports the theory of an abnormal metabolite of dopamine. One such theory is the "pink spot" hypothesis, which implicates dimethoxyphenethylamine. This theory has been popular mostly in orthomolecular circles. Shulgin rejects it. All of this strongly supports orthomolecular psychiatry, which is not recognized in many hospitals.

Brave New Brain

This book was written by Nancy Andreasen in 2001. She has also written other books including "The Broken Brain" and "Schizophrenia: From Mind to Molecule". I am trying to get "Schizophrenia: From Mind to Molecule", and that could be a subject of a future review. "The Broken Brain" is dated as it was written in the Eighties. I have read that book, which does have considerable merit. Unfortunately it does not have all the answeres.

Psychiatry

Andreasen discusses unipolar major depression, manic-depressive illness, and schizophrenia. She also discusses Alzheimer's disease. She favors drugs. According to one theory there is a serotonin deficiency. This theory is used to justify Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Celexa. However, this theory is very weak. Direct measurements in the brain have shown that there is no serotonin deficiency.

Genetics

Andreasen feels that there is a very strong genetic component in mental disease. On this point she is probably correct. There is also a lot of good basic neurology in the book. Much of it is aimed at the average lay person. Much of this book is a rehash of basic science, which is not bad. I was hoping for brilliant new relevations.

Dopamine

Dopamine is found in high concentration in the basal ganglia. It is also found in the limbic system the frontal areas, and theventral tegmental area. Dopamine is altered in certain diseases, including PKU. PKU is a genetic disease treated by diet.

Neuroimaging

There are a number of different techniques used in neuroimaging, including the CT technique. Enlarged lateral ventricles have been seen in schizophrenics using CT scans. Three planes are often used. These three planes are transaxial, coronal, and sagittal. Tissue is classified as gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. With increasing age the CSF areas get larger.

The Case of Phineas Gage

This case was a very strange one, and has been grist for the mill in psychiatry and neurology. Gage got a severe injury in his prefrontal cortex. This caused disastrous changes in his ability to make mature social judgements and "appropriate emotional responses".

Another Finding in Schizophrenia

Enlargement of the cavum septi pellucidi has been seen in schizophrenia.

Alzheimer's Disease

In Alzheimer's disease the ventricles are greatly enlarged. Alois Alzheimer was a German psychiatrist.
Conclusions

The book is useful, and even the illustrations are good. Some of the great scientists, including Cannon, Papez, MacLean, Pavlov, etc, are mentioned. The 1983 book "The Broken Brain" did not have any magical solutions either. My own opinion is that in 1968 Linus Pauling was ahead of where Andreassen was in 2001. Andreassen gets an A for the illustrations, but a B for the text. Pauling got an A because of the difficulty of the task he attacked.

Bibliography

1. www.associatedcontent.com/article/709479/moneydriven_medicine_vs_orthomolecular.html
2. www.associatedcontent.com/article/705601/the_alleviation_of_schizophrenia.html

3. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/696389/theories_of_orthomolecular_psychiatry.html
4. www.associatedcontent.com/article/703807/why_orthomolecular_psychiatry.html
5. www.associatedcontent.com/article/696389/theories_of_orthomolecular_psychiatry.html