Adolescents bullied by their peers are at greater risk of psychotic episodes
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo in Japan has made an interesting discovery regarding the effects of bullying on adolescents. They found that adolescents who are bullied by their peers are at a higher risk of experiencing the early stages of psychotic episodes. Additionally, these individuals have lower levels of a key neurotransmitter in a region of the brain that regulates emotions.
This finding suggests that targeting this neurotransmitter could be a potential strategy for pharmaceutical interventions aimed at reducing the risk of psychotic disorders. Psychosis is a mental state characterized by a loss of contact with reality, incoherent speech and behavior, hallucinations, and delusions commonly seen in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Recent studies have explored the neurological and psychiatric characteristics of certain disorders and found that individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis or those with treatable schizophrenia have lower-than-normal levels of a neurotransmitter called glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the brain. The ACC plays a critical role in emotion regulation, decision making, and cognitive control. Glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain, is involved in various functions such as learning, memory, and mood regulation.
Alterations in glutamate levels have been linked to several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, measuring glutamate levels can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of these disorders and guide treatment approaches.
Previously, the relationship between ACC levels and bullying experiences in adolescents at high risk for psychosis was unclear. Thus, researchers from the University of Tokyo used magnetic resonance imaging to study the structure and function of the brain and measure glutamate levels in Japanese adolescents.
By comparing glutamate levels with experiences of bullying, the researchers found that bullying was associated with higher levels of subclinical psychotic experiences in early adolescence. Subclinical psychotic experiences consist of symptoms that approach psychosis but do not meet all the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia. These symptoms include hallucinations, paranoia, and radical alterations in thinking that significantly impact functioning.
Understanding these subclinical psychotic experiences is crucial for identifying individuals who may be at a higher risk of developing a clinical psychotic illness later on. Lead author Naohiro Okada emphasizes the importance of anti-bullying programs in schools that promote positive social interactions, reduce aggressive behaviors, and create a safe and supportive environment for all students. Providing support and resources, such as counseling services and peer support groups, to adolescents who have experienced bullying victimization is also recommended.
While the researchers have identified a potential target for pharmacological interventions, Okada suggests that non-pharmacological approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based interventions can also address the neurotransmitter imbalance.