Schizophrenia has been in the news with some frequency of late. In the 20-July-2000 Vidyya we reported on a new schizophrenia medication that may be approved as early as next year and provided our readers with an extensive patient education handout. (See, Vidyya #98)

Today's Vidyya^sm stemmed from a report in the Wall Street Journal on a controversial study that attempts to treat schizophrenia before symptoms appear. The study is about to be expanded, though pundits are expressing doubt that the goals of the study can be met, since there is currently no criteria to identify schizophrenia in its prodromal stage. That may change. Our second article briefly tells of the possible genetic locus of a schizophrenia gene.

Also reported this week was a warning from the FDA that one of the drugs used to treat schizophrenics could cause dangerous cardiac complications.

As always, we've included some information suitable for patient education.

Our last story illustrates the difficulty patients with schizophrenia face when in need of treatment. Most schizophrenics can not pursue career goals and many of them end up under the auspices of public programs where they receive inadequate treatment.

Today's Articles:

• Unorthodox Schizophrenia Study To Be Expanded

• Schizophrenia-Related Gene Site Reported

• When Someone Has Schizophrenia

• Important Schizophrenia Drug Warning - Mellaril ®

• New Schizophrenia Therapies Show Promise, But Many Patients Receive Inadequate Care