SCHIZOPHRENIA

Source: MINDSITENEWS

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Context 

In September 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Cobenfy, a drug developed by Bristol Myers Squibb, marking the first new approach to schizophrenia treatment in decades.

About Cobenfy

Cobenfy is also known as xanomeline and trospium chloride. It offers a unique mechanism of action that sets it apart from existing antipsychotic drugs.

Unlike traditional medications that primarily target dopamine receptors, Cobenfy focuses on cholinergic receptors.

These receptors are part of the cholinergic system, which plays a vital role in cognitive functions, memory, and attention. By targeting cholinergic receptors, Cobenfy modulates neurotransmitter activity without disrupting dopamine pathways, offering a new avenue for treating schizophrenia.

About Schizophrenia 

It is a chronic mental health disorder that affects around 1% of the global population. 

The disorder is characterized by severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, often leading to social isolation and a diminished quality of life. 

Aspect	Details
Causes	The exact cause is unknown, but research into genetics, behavioral studies, and brain imaging is ongoing. Factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, and environment may contribute to schizophrenia.
Symptoms	Positive Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, exaggerated perceptions.  Negative Symptoms: Reduced emotional expression, decreased speech, reduced social contact, lack of motivation, and diminished pleasure.  Disorganized Symptoms: Confused thinking, speech issues, and abnormal movements.
Onset	Symptoms typically appear in early adulthood (late teens to 30s). Subtle signs like poor school performance and troubled relationships may appear earlier.

Current Challenges 

Schizophrenia remains a complex disorder with no cure. Current challenges in treatment include:

• Approximately 20-30% of patients do not respond to traditional antipsychotic medications.
• Many current treatments cause side effects that can significantly affect a patient's quality of life, often leading to non-compliance.
• Schizophrenia patients often face social stigma.
• Schizophrenia carries a significant risk of suicide, with about 5% of diagnosed patients dying by suicide.

Read about Mental Health in India:

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/mental-health-in-india

Read about Initiatives taken to tackle mental health issue:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/initiatives-taken-to-tackle-mental-health-issues

Read about India’s mental healthcare act:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-mental-healthcare-act#:~:text=The%20Act%20seeks%20to%20fulfil,without%20discrimination%20from%20the%20government.

Sources: 

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Discuss the significance of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in addressing the challenges of mental health in India. What are the gaps in its implementation, and how can these be bridged? (150 Words)