Schizophrenia

Problem

The group conceptualises schizophrenia as a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric disorder of the group of psychoses which appears to be caused by early and late neurodevelopmental alterations resulting from the interaction between genetic (the most important risk factor), epigenetic and environmental variables. 

As a mental illness, schizophrenia presents several unmet care needs: the treatment of primary negative symptoms; cognitive deficits; resistance to treatment; the high rate of relapses and mortality; and the management of the side effects of antipsychotics. The group aims to address these shortcomings by researching into and generating scientific evidence on new, more valid and effective procedures and treatments.  

Approach

In clinical research, the group develops longitudinal monitoring studies of initial psychotic episodes and identifies the factors involved and the determinants of their evolution. This work entails analysing the clinical, neurocognitive, neurobiological, pharmacogenetic, neuroimaging and environmental correlates that condition the therapeutic response and the risk of relapse. The group also researches into new cognitive rehabilitation and neurostimulation techniques such as DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation), ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and clinical trials using innovative drugs. 

In translational research, at the recently created Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Schizophrenia, human biological samples (skin biopsy-derived fibroblasts, olfactory neural epithelium, CSF and so on) and experimental models (animal or cellular, iPSCs and derived neurons, for example) of schizophrenia are used to study the pathogenesis and biomarkers and identify new therapeutic targets.

Impact

The identification of biochemical (central and peripheral), genetic, epigenetic, neuroimaging or neuropsychological biomarkers contributes to more effective and personalised diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and rehabilitation. The group’s research in the field of schizophrenia has enabled it to validate strategies now incorporated into clinical guidelines to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of relapse.

In patient care practice, reducing the implementation period for proven results obtained in the research, coupled with early intervention, has demonstrated clear benefits that have enabled improved prognosis and a reduction in the individual, family and social burden of the disease.