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SINGAPORE: As part of a S$25 million research programme, thousands of teenagers and young adults will be screened to see if they are at risk of schizophrenia.
Among the five leading causes of disability worldwide, schizophrenia affects one per cent of the population, and usually first shows up in the teens or early adulthood.
If not treated early, it can be difficult for schizophrenia patients to get their lives back on track.
Most schizophrenia patients in Singapore, however, only seek help 2.5 to three years after they first experience a psychotic symptom, such as hearing voices.
So the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) plans to screen thousands of 15- to 30-year-olds to identify those at high risk. Researchers will then track their progress and start treatment early, if necessary.
The institute will conduct screenings at tertiary institutions, the armed forces, the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. It will also liaise with school counsellors and general practitioners who see people that are at risk.
The researchers expect about 3,000 young people to be identified as high risk. Having a family history is not the only risk factor for schizophrenia.
Associate Professor Chong Siow Ann, vice chairman of IMH's medical board (research), said: "People who perhaps have some history of obstetric complications at the time of birth, and... people who use cannabis may also be at a greater risk of developing this illness."
The study is part of a S$25 million programme to identify genetic, biological and social risk factors for schizophrenia.
Other parts of the programme include identifying genes that cause schizophrenia and a drug trial on new treatment to improve patients' functional skills.
The study is one of two projects awarded the Translational and Clinical Research Flagship Programme this year.
The two research programmes were selected from eight submissions and were chosen based on their scientific merit, the strength of the research teams and their relevance to Singapore.
The other S$25 million project, led by the Singapore Eye Research Institute, focuses on glaucoma and corneal diseases - the leading causes of blindness in Singapore.
The Singapore National Eye Centre treats over 34,000 cases of glaucoma and 15,000 patients with corneal diseases every year.
Professor Donald Tan, director of Singapore Eye Research Institute, said: "We have very little understanding or ability to modulate wound healing. And for example, in glaucoma operations, in some cases, the failure rate could be as high as 30 to 40 per cent." - CNA/ac
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