Alternatives to medication for ‘treatment-resistant schizophrenia’

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Kalya Win Aung, Angela Kibia and Dorothy Williams consider a systematic review and network meta-analysis published by the Lancet Psychiatry on psychological and psychosocial interventions for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

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HRT associated with reduced risk of psychosis relapse in middle-age women

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Laura Naysmith summarises a study of menopausal hormone therapy (also known as HRT), which suggests the treatment is linked with reduce the risk of psychosis relapse in menopausal women.

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Omega-3 supplements for the prevention of psychosis: another trial shows no benefit, so is it time to move on?

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David Mongan reports on a recent trial of omega-3 supplementation for the prevention of psychosis in people at ultra-high risk, which finds no evidence of a positive effect. He reflects on these findings and considers what’s next for the field.

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The role of the gut microbiome in treatment-resistant schizophrenia

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Nuala Murray explores a recent Australian case-control study that looks at the associations between changes in gut microbiota and schizophrenia diagnosis, treatment resistance, and clozapine response.

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Is short sleep linked to risk of psychosis and could inflammation be a factor?

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Amy Ferguson summarises a recent study published by researchers in Birmingham, which suggests that persistent shorter sleep in childhood may increase the risk of psychotic experiences.

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KarXT: an innovative and promising treatment for schizophrenia

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Nicola Rizzo Pesci and Andrea Cipriani summarise findings from the EMERGENT-2 trial spotlighting a promising new drug treatment for schizophrenia.

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Cognition and heterogeneity in first-episode psychosis before antipsychotic treatment

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Ana Veic looks at an updated systematic review which suggests that patients with psychosis display cognitive difficulties very early in the disease process, and concludes this variation in cognitive function should prompt individual clinical assessments to optimise care.

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Here comes the sun: associations between daily light exposure and psychiatric disorders

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Emiliana Tonini summarises a large-scale cross-sectional study, which suggests that encouraging individuals to increase their exposure to bright natural light during the day and minimise exposure to artificial light at night may help with our mental health.

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Just how good are antipsychotics at preventing relapse? Bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap

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Samei Huda summarises a new network meta-analysis in the Lancet Psychiatry on the efficacy and effectiveness of antipsychotics for schizophrenia in research settings, such as randomised controlled trials, versus real-world and clinical settings.

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Lived experience perspectives of acceptance and commitment therapy for people with psychosis

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Charlotte Huggett reflects on a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of people with psychosis receiving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy following a first episode of psychosis.

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