Brookhaven Hospital: Mental Health Treatment for Behavioral Health Problems, Chemical Dependency, Eating Disorders, Brain Injuries, and Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery

Monday, July 17, 2006 4:27 PM
posted by R. Shock

Nicotine-like Drug in Schizophrenia Treatment

An experimental drug that acts on the same parts of the brain as nicotine is showing promise in helping people with schizophrenia, researchers say. In animal trials, the new drug showed a range of beneficial effects; most notably improved thinking ability.

Although advances have been made in the treatment of schizophrenic symptoms such as delusions and withdrawal and apathy, problems with attention and thinking processes persist. According to the researchers, this drug was tested due to a hypothesis that the heavy rates of smoking among schizophrenics (seen in 80% of all cases) might be a form of self medication.

Click here for the full article courtesy of Rueters Health
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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.

Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.

Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.

Sarah McGee serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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