Cognitive Impairment, Reward Pathways and Treatment Challenges in Schizophrenia Video

Dawn I. Velligan, PhD; Sanjai Rao, MD

https://youtu.be/0Y6iikO4NlE

Evaluating different domains of negative symptoms separately to better understand their impact on functional outcomes, particularly cognitive symptoms, is important in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, especially intervening to help break the cycle of symptom maintenance. Understanding the reward circuitry implicated in schizophrenia can help clinicians intervene and lead to patients having more fulfilling lives.

Presented by the CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc. and supported by educational grants from Alkermes, Inc. and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Part 1: A Review of Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia affects 1% of the world’s population largely during a patient’s most productive years. Multiple treatments are available, however many gaps to recovery exist. Learn from experts diagnostic criteria for and defining recovery in schizophrenia.

Part 2: Chasing Cognitive and Negative Symptoms:
Unmet Treatment Needs of Patients with Schizophrenia

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Negative symptoms contribute to poor functional outcomes in schizophrenia. Evaluating different symptom domains and understanding the disorder’s reward circuitry can help with intervention and patients’ leading more fulfilling lives.

Part 3: Impact of Side Effects on Adherence to Schizophrenia Treatment

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Side effects from medication have the greatest impact on adherence for patients with Schizophrenia. They lower quality of life, daily functioning, and satisfaction.

Part 4: Balancing Safety and Efficacy with Novel Schizophrenia Treatments

A person in a lab coat untangles a mess of lines inside a human head silhouette, symbolizing mental health support or therapy. The background features clouds, trees, and abstract shapes in purple tones.

Balancing symptoms and side effects is difficult when treating patients with schizophrenia. New approaches to treatment and new therapies in the pipeline offer hope for this difficult-to-treat mental health disorder.