Researchers have identified a common gene molecule in type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia. Other research has suggested that those with schizophrenia have higher incidences of type 2 diabetes. In fact, one in every five individuals with schizophrenia is found to have type 2 diabetes. Although cases of type 2 diabetes are higher in the general population, screening for metabolic disorders in schizophrenics remains poor.
There are many factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes in schizophrenics, including genetics, psychotropic medications, neurobiological mechanisms and even environmental factors. Doctors and health care providers need to become aware of the potential side effect of psychotropic medications leading to type 2 diabetes.
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To reduce rates of diabetes among those with schizophrenia, prevention and treatment should be discussed with the patient early on to avoid any complications.
Shared gene(s) may underlie the co-occurrence of both schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes
Researchers have found that schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes may share a gene (or genes), which could be the reason why incidences of diabetes runs high among schizophrenics. The gene is known as Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) and although it has been linked with other mental health disorders, the link to diabetes is new. The researchers found mutations in DISC1 may play a role in pancreatic beta cell survival and function.
The researchers genetically mutated the gene in mice within pancreatic beta cells – not brain cells. The mice were seen to have more beta cell death, less insulin secretion and impaired glucose control in comparison to normal mice.
Lead researcher, Rita Bortell, Ph.D., said, “It is known that individuals with psychiatric disorders may be predisposed to developing type 2 diabetes due to several interacting factors including genetics, lifestyle and medications. Based on our mouse studies, our data predict that DISC1 disruption could tip the balance toward disease. Our hope is that the association we’ve found linking disrupted DISC1 to both diabetes and psychiatric disorders may uncover mechanisms to improve therapies to alleviate suffering caused by both illnesses, which are extraordinarily costly, very common and quite debilitating.”
Previous study shows molecular link between diabetes and schizophrenia, connects food and mood
Previous research found a molecular link between diabetes and schizophrenia. The research uncovered defects in insulin function commonly seen in diabetes can also contribute to schizophrenia.
Endocrinologist, Kevin Niswender, M.D., said, “We know that people with diabetes have an increased incidence of mood and other psychiatric disorders. And we think that those co-morbidities might explain why some patients have trouble taking care of their diabetes.”
Neurobiologist, Aurelio Galli, Ph.D., added, “Something goes wrong in the brain because insulin isn’t signaling the way that it normally does.”
The research group was the first to uncover that insulin – which controls glucose – is capable of controlling dopamine in the brain – the reward center. When dopamine is disrupted it can contribute to mental disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and hyperactive disorder.
When researchers developed mice with an insulin-signaling defect only in neurons, they found the mice had abnormal behavior, similar to that seen in schizophrenia.
They also found a decrease in dopamine and changes in the transporter protein (NET), which removes norepinephrine and dopamine from the synaptic space between neurons.
Dr. Galli explained, “We believe the excess NET is sucking away all of the dopamine and converting it to norepinephrine, creating this situation of hypodopaminergia (low levels of dopamine) in the cortex.”
Understanding the link between dopamine and insulin action could offer potential new treatments for schizophrenia.
Diet and other lifestyle factors in schizophrenia raise risk of type 2 diabetes
Aside from genetics and molecules, which bridge type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia, there are also lifestyle factors in schizophrenics that can raise the risk of developing diabetes. For starters, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports many schizophrenic patients fall short when it comes to healthy eating. They found that younger adults who are more susceptible to schizophrenia consume mainly burgers, fries and sugar-carbonated beverages.
Other research has shown that schizophrenics have far worse diets compared to the general population. A typical schizophrenic diet has less fiber, antioxidants and vitamins.
Another reported lifestyle factor is: schizophrenics tend to exercise far less than the general public. Furthermore, schizophrenics have higher rates of smoking. Lack of exercise as well as smoking can contribute to becoming overweight and lead to cardiovascular disease – two other factors of type 2 diabetes.
As you can see, there are many aspects that increase a schizophrenic patient’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Treatment of diabetes in schizophrenia patients
The first step to treatment of type 2 diabetes in schizophrenia is actually prevention. Prevention can help the patient avoid any complications that type 2 diabetes may bring, and prevention methods can also boost the health of schizophrenia patients overall. Prevention methods of type 2 diabetes include:
- Exercising
- Not smoking
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
A doctor should work with the patient to make a personalized prevention plan that the patient can adhere to in order to prevent type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, doctors should be aware of schizophrenia medications that can have adverse effects and contribute to diabetes. Whether this means a medication contributes to weight gain or changes eating habits, alternatives may be needed to help reduce the risk of diabetes.
If a patient does develop diabetes, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Treatment plans should be discussed with family and support caregivers so they become aware of what needs to be done. Then they can implement the treatment plan and make sure the patient adheres to the plan set out for them.
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Sources:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-11-molecular-link-schizophrenia-diabetes
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases
http://bjp.rcpsych.org
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
