Healthy lives
New insights into Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Psychosis affects how people perceive and interpret the world, yet the biological changes that drive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions are still not fully understood. Researchers at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ have helped uncover important clues about the brain chemistry underlying psychosis, providing new insights that could support the development of more effective treatments.
The challenge
Psychosis, including schizophrenia, is associated with changes in brain function, but scientists have long debated exactly which biological processes are responsible. One leading theory suggested that symptoms develop following an early period of damage caused by excessive glutamate activity in the brain, potentially linked to inflammation, oxidative stress or reduced regulation by another key brain chemical, GABA.
Although previous studies had identified altered levels of glutamate in people with schizophrenia, it remained unclear whether these changes reflected early disease processes, the effects of long-term illness, or exposure to medication. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing more targeted treatments and improving outcomes for people living with psychosis.
Our response
Researchers conducted a large multi-centre brain imaging study to investigate how glutamate and GABA functions differ between people with recent-onset psychosis, people with long-term schizophrenia and individuals without the condition. Using advanced magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) imaging, they measured levels of key brain chemicals in regions linked to cognitive and emotional processing.
The team also examined whether changes in these brain chemicals were associated with systemic inflammation markers, oxidative stress or the effects of antipsychotic medication. This allowed them to test competing theories about the causes and progression of psychosis.
Their findings showed that people with long-term schizophrenia had greater reductions in glutamate than those in the early stages of illness. However, the research found little evidence that these changes were linked to systemic inflammation.
Importantly, the study found that levels of GABA, a brain chemical that helps regulate neural activity, were consistently reduced in people with psychosis. Lower GABA levels were also associated with more severe symptoms, highlighting its potential role in the development and persistence of psychotic experiences.
"By improving our understanding of the brain processes involved in psychosis, we can help pave the way for more targeted and effective treatments. This research brings us a step closer to developing better interventions that could improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with severe mental illness."
Our impact
The research provides one of the clearest pictures to date of how key brain chemicals are altered in psychosis and how these changes develop over time. By identifying Glutamate and GABA dysfunction as a potentially important contributor to symptoms, the findings help refine understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia and related conditions.
These insights could help guide future research into new treatments that target brain chemistry more precisely, supporting efforts to improve outcomes for people affected by psychosis. A better understanding of the condition's underlying biology may also contribute to earlier diagnosis, more personalised care and the development of interventions that address symptoms more effectively.
To read the full paper, click .
Dr Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu leads research and collaboration in mental health and translational neuroscience, with expertise in psychosis, schizophrenia, cognitive functions, neuroimaging, and neuromodulation. His work focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms that underpin mental health conditions, using behavioural, cognitive and brain imaging approaches to support the development of more effective treatments and improve patient outcomes.