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MRI or blood tests for the diagnosis of mental disorders
Work stress and pressure to perform are partly responsible for the fact that there are more and more mental illnesses in Germany. In addition, such diseases are better recognized today. Researchers now want to investigate whether MRI or blood tests can help diagnose mental disorders.
Work stress and high performance expectations
At the present time, stress and high performance expectations are increasing. This has a huge impact on the health of society. Only recently, scientists reported that about one in four people at some point in his life suffers from a mental disorder. To treat such diseases better, it is necessary to know the triggers. Here, research has made tremendous progress in the past. For example, recently new causes of depression have been reported.
Researchers at the University Hospital Jena want to investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or blood tests can contribute to the diagnosis of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. (Image: lassedesignen / fotolia.com) Help MRI and blood tests in the diagnosis of mental disorders?
Scientists at the University Hospital Jena (UKJ) now want to investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or blood tests can contribute to the diagnosis of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Around one percent of the population develops schizophrenia over the course of life. Early detection and treatment of the disease are therefore particularly important The causes for the development of schizophrenia are still largely unclear. In the past year, scientists have discovered certain gene modifications as a schizophrenia risk factor.
Schizophrenia only in humans
It is also known that schizophrenia can only develop in humans. Other mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder can also get animals. A research group from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the UKJ now wants to find out more about mental disorders using MRI and blood tests. "In the study, we examine how certain traits affect the structure and function of the brain," explained PD Dr. med. med. Igor Nenadic from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the UKJ in a statement from the college.
Healthy study participants searched
The research group is still looking for healthy subjects aged 18 to 40 years, who have never been in psychological or psychiatric treatment and have no first-degree relatives with mental illness. According to the data, detailed images of the brain structure and function of the study participants are generated on the MRI. Participation in the study includes radiation-free MRI examination, blood collection and several questionnaires. Participants will receive an allowance of 30 euros for the study, which takes about three to four hours. Interested parties can, among other things by e-mail to [email protected] report. (Ad)