BLOOMINGTON, Ind — Breakthrough research at Indiana University could help people suffering from schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.
A new test analyzes a person's blood to see which biomarkers are present. Based on what's found, doctors can measure the severity of schizophrenia and future mental health risks.
Knowing this information as soon as possible will help determine the correct treatment for mental illness and what a person's body is saying it needs.
13News' Felicia Lawrence spoke with Dr. Alexander Niculescu, one of the study's authors, who is a researcher, professor and medical doctor at IU and the VA. He says early intervention is key in protecting from brain damage and destruction of a person's life.
"This is a disorder that usually occurs in young adulthood, late teens and early 20s in men and late 20s to 30s in women. Those are the prime years of a person's life. The prime years for their education, professionally, familially, and so on," Niculescu said. "Recognizing that you're dealing with this early on can completely change their life trajectory."
This research builds on two decades of work.
The test should be available later this year through a company called MindX Sciences, which is related to IU. Niculescu said the goal is to make it more efficient, affordable and widely available.