Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently reported they had discovered genetic evidence suggesting schizophrenia was not a single disease but a group of eight genetically distinct disorders, each with its own symptoms. Now, using advanced brain-imaging techniques, they’ve been able to match groups of patients to specific qualities in brain anatomy and function. The findings could represent another step toward improving diagnosis and treatment of the disorders commonly known as schizophrenia. STUDYING CLUSTERS OF GENES, RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS RECENTLY FOUND THAT RATHER THAN A SINGLE ILLNESS, SCHIZOPHRENIA APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL DISTINCT DISORDERS. NOW, AFTER CONDUCTING BRAIN-IMAGING STUDIES, THEY ARE REPORTING THAT THE CONSTELLATIONS OF SYMPTOMS THAT CHARACTERIZE THE DISORDER ARE CLOSELY LINKED TO STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE BRAIN. JIM DRYDEN HAS THE STORY… MANY PAST BRAIN-IMAGING STUDIES HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT