The researchers have developed a new blood test to predict the risk of schizophrenia and identify the most effective treatment for individuals by analyzing biomarkers in their blood. According to Dr. Alexander Niculescu, diagnosing schizophrenia early and matching people to the right treatment from the beginning is crucial, particularly since psychosis typically occurs during young adulthood. Stress and drugs, including marijuana, are often contributing factors, and if left unchecked, psychosis can lead to accumulating biological, social, and psychological damage. Statistics show that as many as 3.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which often presents between the late teen years and early 30s.
The blood test was developed by testing the blood of psychiatric patients over a decade and identifying biomarkers predictive of extreme hallucinations and delusions, as well as psychiatric hospitalizations related to these symptoms. The researchers also studied which biomarkers would best respond to certain medications. Dr. Niculescu stated that existing medications can work well if initiated early in the right patients, and social support, psychological support, and therapy can also be helpful. The test is expected to be commercially available later this year.
Previous research has also suggested that fingerprint images may have potential as predictors of schizophrenia. A 2022 study used a machine learning-based process to identify abnormalities in the fingerprints of people known to have schizophrenia.
