Stem Cell Treatment for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a disorder of the brain that causes visual and auditory hallucinations, is treated with powerful drugs caused anti-psychotics. These drugs have potentially fatal side effects and lose their efficacy after prolonged use; the need for new ways to treat schizophrenia is eminent.

What Are Stem Cells?

• The National Institutes of Health states that stem cells "have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth."

The Schizophrenic Brain

• According to schizophrenia.com, stem cell research treatments may not work for the disorder as we are still not exactly sure what goes wrong in the schizophrenic brain.

Controversy

• Stem cells are typically derived from embryos or another living human being. This fact has created a great deal of controversy, resulting in some disorders not being focused on.

Stem Cells in the Brain

• Once we learn more about schizophrenia affects the brain, stem cells may hold the key to an effective treatment.

Tips

• Schizophrenia is difficult disorder to treat as the medications can cause drooling, sedation, tremors and tics. Consult with your physician immediately as stem cell treatment may be many years away.