Duong Vu
A link between the tiny organisms found in the throat and schizophrenia could lead to ways of identifying the causes and potential treatments of the neuropsychiatric disorder, according to new research.
The peer-reviewed study was conducted by researchers at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, and is published in the journal PeerJ.
Lead author Eduardo Castro-Nallar states that an area of the throat called the oropharynx appears to contain different levels of oral bacteria in people with schizophrenia compared with people who do not have the disorder.
"Specifically, our analyses revealed an association between microbes such as lactic acid bacteria and schizophrenics," he says.
A growing number of studies have demonstrated that the viruses, bacteria and fungi found living on and within the human body - known as the microbiome - can influence brain development, behavior and cognition.
Previously, Medical News Today have reported on studies revealing that changes to the gut microbiome can reduce cognitive functioning, improve body fat distribution and lead to anxiety and depression.
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder characterized by deficits in cognitive functioning, perceptions and emotional response. Research also suggests that as well as having connections with mental health, the microbiome may affect the immune system in ways that are associated with schizophrenia.
For the study, the researchers focused on the microbiome of the oropharynx, the region of the throat located at the back of the mouth, including the back third of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils and side and back walls of the throat.
Earlier research from the team identified differences in one aspect of throat bacteria between people with schizophrenia and people without the disorder. In the new study, the researchers examined the complete microbiome, looking at the viruses, bacteria and fungi present in 16 individuals with schizophrenia and 16 control participants.
Results 'require replication and expansion' for further validationThe researchers report significant differences between the microbiomes of schizophrenia patients and those of the co