Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects about 1% of the population. This disorder is often characterized by hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, disorganized behavior, memory loss, and hearing voices, among other symptoms. Research done by Dr. Molly Erikson in her study, Impaired Suppression of Delay-Period Alpha and Beta Is Associated with Impaired Working Memory in Schizophrenia, sheds light on the cognitive functions of memory that are impacted by Schizophrenia. This research zeros in on impairments in alpha desynchronization to determine, at what point in memory storage individuals with schizophrenia are impacted. Erikson provides convincing evidence that the consolidation aspect of working memory is where the impairment is occurring.
Erikson puts a great focus of her research on assessing detriments to working memory, however there is also related research in the field regarding the impact of neuron synchronization on not only memory, but also the psychological symptoms of Schizophrenia. The University of Geneva has recently provided research and evidence for neuron synchronization being one of many reasons for the symptoms of hallucinations, hyperactivity, and impairments of memory. Focusing in on the brain area of the hippocampus and inhibitory neurons in the parvalbumin neural network, researchers found lower activity and therefore less inhibition over the other neurons in and connected to the network. It is thought that this lack of inhibition due to impairments in synchronization is a neurological factor in psychological symptoms of Schizophrenia. In their study with animal models, restoring the proper synchronization in these inhibitory neurons, proper organization was restored and hyperactivity, memory deficits, and behavioral problems, greatly improved.
Molly Erikson’s research along with the University of Geneva, together are about finding the neurological basis for behavioral, psychological, and memory deficits in Schizophrenia. Both sets of research draw upon the impairments of neuron synchronization in the brain but are attempting to solve separate questions. Erikson puts a great emphasis on working memory, specifically consolidation and alpha desynchronization. The University of Geneva aims to be able to aid treatment options for hallucinations, hyperactivity, and memory loss through the resetting of inhibitory neuron synchronization. These two studies differ on particular specificities such as, the area of the brain in question, techniques of the actual research being done, and different goals hoping to be reached. Despite differences, these research studies, in tandem with a multitude of other studies, aim to benefit those suffering from schizophrenia in providing greater knowledge of the disorder, benefitting treatment options, and enhancing quality of life.
References
Université de Genève. "Resynchronizing neurons to erase schizophrenia." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180917111625.htm>.
Erickson, M.A, Albrecht, M.A., Robinson, B., Luck, S.J., & Gold, J.M. (2017). Impaired Suppression of Delay-Period Alpha and Beta is Associated with Impaired Working Memory in Schizophrenia. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 2(3), 272-279. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.09.003
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