Exercise Improves Schizophrenia
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Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Aug 4, 2007 |
Exercise keeps your mind active and your brain sharp! It's been proven over and over, most recently by schizophrenia researchers in Australia. Whether you have schizophrenia, depression, or a phobia -- or even if you're "normal" -- exercise can significantly improve your mind, body and soul.
Hannan and McOmish of the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne experimented with a genetically altered mouse who had schizophrenia-like symptoms and found that putting him through the ropes (figuratively speaking) improved his condition. His schizophrenia symptoms included abnormal responses, the inability to process complex information, and learning and memory problems.
The exercise they made him do included running wheels and things to see, smell and touch. The schizophrenic mouse showed improved symptoms after he was stimulated by mental and physical exercise.
The researchers also gave him an anti-psychotic drug used by human schizophrenics, which indicated the mouse is a valid representation of the human condition of schizophrenia. Thus their results can be transferred to humans. Now, they're working on an experiemental class of drugs that "mimic the effects of environmental enrichment in the brain to treat various brain disorders, possibly including schizophrenia."
Even with this new medication schizophrenics need a combination of a healthy diet, physical and mental activity and the right drugs to combat their condition (we could all use that combination, couldn't we? Except for the drugs maybe. They can set you up for mental illness later).
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