Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
NEW RESEARCH BY an NUI Galway Professor has found that the risk of of developing schizophrenia may be identified by changes in cognitive ability.
Professor of Psychology Gary Donohue said tell-tale signs found in IQ, memory or social intelligence tests could indicate the onset of the disorders.
He said cognitive deficits often appear before the emergence of clinical symptoms and go on to predict individual levels of disability.
The study, which was funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board, assessed performance on a number of cognitive functions known to be affected in psychosis.
Study
A total of 424 patients participated in the study, including 340 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 83 with bipolar or major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
Patients were given individual scores based on their loading for genetic variants interacting with ZNF804A, the first genome wide significant variant to be identified for schizophrenia.
Across patient groups, higher scores on this ZNF804A were associated with poorer performance on multiple cognitive measures, including both general cognitive ability and a measure social cognition, often popularly referred to as social intelligence.
“Understanding how genetic variants contribute to this aspect of disability, both individually and interaction, is an important step towards understanding the underlying biology and developing better and more personalised treatments,” he said.
The research was carried out in association with colleagues from Trinity College, Dublin and has just been published in leading journal, JAMA psychiatry.
Dr. April Hargreaves and Dr. Kristen Nicodemus were joint first authors on the paper.
Performance
Dr. Hargreaves said the fact that they were able to account for a greater proportion of the variance in cognitive performance by looking at multiple variants, suggests that this approach represents an important next step in modeling the genetic complexity of cognition and identifying risk factors for psychosis.
Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder affects about one in 50 Irish adults and it is yet unknown what causes or triggers schizophrenia.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
How many government promoting articles are the journal going to post today? Jeez……
Hugh is on today so I’d expect at least 15 more, 12 of them based on that young rapscallion Alan Shatter
It loses a little integrity with each one.
I read the byline, took one guess at who the author was, scrolled to the end, discovered I was correct. Think I know which way Hugh will be voting in the next GE too ;)
Choo choo. The Fine Gael propaganda train chugs on.
With Hugh O Connell the train driver tooting the government horn….
Nice little free promo for “poor aul Pascal” there. You know. the hard working guy.
Working hard standing in front of the cameras all month he was. He must have been delighted the weather was cool lest he die of sunstroke seeking the perfect pose.
Pascal is trying to make himself look good, hoping to get re-elected next time.Too little too late you horrible little man! And Hugh please note that the vast majority of people on here HATE your FG government with a vengence not seen in Ireland for years….we HATE Kenny and his minions for the damage he has done to peoples lives as he will soon find out in time, so no fluffy FG crap on here please!
Can we expect a ‘fluff piece’ on all government ministers or is it confined just to FG ministers Hugh?
Would you go on holidays with him ? either muzzle him or wear ear plugs for the duration. ARRGGH. that voice.
What a great idea.
Only 11 more positions to fill. (joking aside, I’d say the new Minister for September will be announced within the next week).
Hugh must be top off the list of nominations for Minister of FG Lick-arsing.
Best minister for Dublin ever
What did he do for you
The minister most likely to make you cringe
I’d like to be the minister for disco biscuits some day.
What did this little.lispy blueshirt have to say about the rip of cost of insurance. ..
now now john your comment will be taken off soon you’re not allowed slag blueshirts here
I know its not his fault but his voice really grinds my gears. Sounds a bit like the Irish version of Tory Boy from Harry Enfield.
‘Poor’ Pascal indeed. Basic Salary TD: €92,672 a year. Don’t even get me started on the add-ons!
He knows he can have next August free
Alan Kelly’s stunt double!!
He will need to do more than that
He’s no Alan Shatter alright. Eh Hugh?? We love a bit of Alan every couple of hours.
to say I hate this man is an understatement.
His “assistant” at his Phibsboro office could do with a few lessons in how to listen and not be so arrogant. The man is only interested in other business. Mr “Proctor and Gamble” Donohoe’s connstituency office needs to concentrate on their constituents.
Is Susan Daly still editor here ?
I remember seeing a YouTube video a couple of years ago of a couple of guys asking him questions and he was going on like a total moron demanding the lads names like he was some sort of higher being.
Where did he get that accent..He definitely went to electrocution lessons.
Shocking statement there denise
@ Denise Freudian slip methinks. Electrodes on the nads and stuff.
are u a fan of the minister for talk a lot and say very little ☺
Seriously what’s the procedure for complaining about a journalist to the journal? Hugh there isn’t even a hint of trying to be subtle about the FG propaganda! Surely this is against some sort of code of ethics for journalists? Or is Hugh even classified as a journalist?
Give him a permanent holiday next year- is he qualified for a ” ministerial pension” handout?
Hmmm lesser spotted summer politican. Comes out of its winter hibernation to follow the sun usually .
Where are the rest of them?!? The country is in a mess!!
This is all they’ve left behind to hold the fort? I’d say the rest are preparing for a sprint to the finish line with their spoils. Job done, monthly payments for life, 80% didn’t even have to open their mouths. It’s a smash and grab and we’re too late.
please just give it a rest Hugh o connell
Pascal would go to the opening of an envelope if he thought it would further his “career”
To: Hugh O’Connell.
Hugh, I am seriously asking if you have a political affiliation? Are you a member of a political party (even a youth wing)? I am asking out of concern for the apparent slant towards FG in your articles subjects and content (and often especially the headlines). There is a lack of independent journalism in this country and a lack in many of its citizens to see beyond certain ideologies or identifications with parties, policies or policy positions. I’m not accusing you of being any more biased than many in the mainstream media, but I am genuinely concerned at how we present and debate issues in this country.
here here
Pascalus Augustus Donohus Maximus!!!
Hugh , I have a 22 foot length of timber here in the shed.If we tied this at 90 degrees across your body it should stop you disappearing up Fine Gaels hole.Maybe you are too far gone.
Seriously, what kind of parents name a son Paschal?
Yes, Paschal is ubiquitous, but so is shit in Dublin this time of year.
So who is the irish politician on ashley madison. Is it you pascal!
Somebody grab wills feet,,, before he disappears…..
*hughs,, sorry…
FFS. How do I red thumb the article?
Print it , pour some witch hazel on it to soften , hey presto – toilet paper
Sorry , I read that as ” how do I red bum this article ? ”
Email the editor , although I doubt it’ll fall on unbiased ears.
are u for real mr fg repoter
he sounds like a tape recorder stuck on repeat , talks a lot and says very little he gives me a right pain
Is this the new Misery for August?
When is Irish rail going to be privatised???
That is a question for him…
Big pat on the back Aer lingus sold pensions sorted,bring in the next lot
have your say