Neuroprotection in schizophrenia

[Juche]

I have schizophrenia, and apparently I am a long cycler. I developed it when I was 17, and it went into remission when I was around 21. It stayed as such and recently came back in the last few months now that I am 27.

What all can I do to protect my brain, and encourage a neuroprotective situation so that unnecessary damage does not occur? I have been taking 12 fish oil tablets a day for several years along with a healthy diet, regular exercise, multivitamins and antioxidants. I just started 7mg/day abilify and it has made a major difference and I know atypical antipsychotics can protect the brain from damage from schizophrenia.

Is there anything else I am missing that could prove safe and helpful at ensuring I do not suffer any kind of long term negative effects of this illness? I know tons about treatment to reduce symptoms (calcium channel blockers, antipsychotics, NMDA agonists, homocysteine & methionine reducers, etc) but not a lot about neuroprotection. I know EPO, epilepsy drugs and antidepressants (antidepressants increase BDNF, which is a neurochemical necessary for brain functioning) are being looked into as neuroprotective agents in schizophrenia. People have been taking things like lamotrigine or prozac for years now, so I'm assuming they are relatively safe. There is research into using epilepsy drugs like topamax and lamotrigine to slow the progress of various neurodegenerative diseases and traumas.

Right now I'm brainstorming ideas to talk to a doctor about, if anyone has anything to add I'd like to hear it.

 

[Celestina]

Juche, I know I am replying to a very old post, but am hoping perhaps you'll still come upon my response.

It sounds as though you've overlooked almost nothing in your research and I doubt I can add anything to your knowledge base, but perhaps you can help me. I am always searching to ways to protect my daughter, a sufferer with schizoaffective disorder from the age of 15. She is now 20, a junior at a major university, carrying a full course load and doing well academically, but burdened nevertheless by a poor memory and much general disorganization. I do supplement her prescription medicine with a glycine re-uptake inhibitor, trimethylglycine, omega-3s, and branched chain amino acids. I'd add antioxidants, but she's pretty much fed up with swallowing pills and I must be very selective. Is there anything in particular, in addition, that you'd recommend?

Somewhere there must be an American physician who'd prescribe EPO for schizophrenia, but I have no idea how to find such a person.

For yourself, have you looked into the synergistic uridine-choline-omega-3 combination?

Wishing you the best--

C