Posted by SLS on July 19, 2012, at 19:35:49
In reply to Re: Antipsychotics shrink the brain, posted by linkadge on July 19, 2012, at 17:56:27
> Yeah, I believe it.
I have no reason not to, although I don't know how to interpret the authors' use of the word "subtle" to describe the changes in brain tissue that they conclude was due to drug exposure.
One thing that I don't see addressed in the medical literature is what are the consequences of this drug-induced reduction in brain tissue. How does it affect mental or somatic functions? If there are no detectable effects into old age, how does this affect the decision-making process of how to treat schizophrenia?
It would be instructive to study brain morphology in schizophrenia in areas of the world that don't treat it with antipsychotic drugs. It would help to resolve how much brain volume reduction is due to the illness itself.
It is not news that antipsychotics carry risks for serious and sometimes irreversible side effects. However, I don't think it makes sense to remove them from the pharmacopeia without first having a substitute in place. Perhaps modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission should be investigated.
- Scott
Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1021751
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1021798.html