Schizophrenia may be due to an overactive immune system (2015 study)

 https://www.popsci.com/an-overactive-immune-system-might-cause-schizophrenia/?dom=tw&src=SOC

>Conclusion: "the authors found that people with schizophrenia (& those at highest risk for the disease to set it) may have OVERACTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEMS working in their brains."

>n = 56 healthy vs Schiz (51 million worldwide) & Hi risk

>method: MICROGLIA cells (protects brain & CNS from pathogens that attack it) injected with radioactive biomarkers that would stick to the cells and show up in scans

>result: those with schiz & hi-risk had MORE microglia cells activity in the brain

>why? Ho: since microglia cells also WEED OUT unnecessary brain connections, the overactive microglia might be TOO OVERZEALOUS, destroying connections that the brains need so that it no longer functions properly

>current knowledge: schiz onset is 16-30 y/o -- the brain just finished its 2nd big synaptic pruning during adolescence

                             : previous studies of schiz pxs indicate that IMMUNE SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION might be written into their genetic codes

>suggested possible treatment: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY agents to SUPPRESS microglial activity