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A study carried out by The University of Western Australia has provided compelling evidence that congenital/early cortical blindness – that is when people are blind from birth or shortly after—is protective against schizophrenia.
The unusual discovery has fascinated scientists and may lead to a better understanding of what causes schizophrenia – a question that has baffled scientists for decades.
Schizophrenia is characterised by symptoms such as losing touch with reality, hearing voices and having visual hallucinations. However, despite numerous bodies of research, the exact cause still remains a mystery.
Lead author Professor Vera Morgan from the UWA Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Research Unit in the Schools of Population and Global Health and Medicine said they also found no one with congenital or early cortical blindness had developed any other psychotic illnesses.
Can being born blind protect people from schizophrenia?
British Psychological Society Digest Report
[Abstract]: Blindness, Psychosis, and the Visual Construction of the World
[Source]: The University of Western Australia
I didn't know about this nor did I make such a connection. Has anyone here observed this connection, that blindness prevents schizophrenia ??
(Score: 1, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Friday October 25 2019, @07:51AM (3 children)
Interesting idea. My thinking takes a different path though. Vision is an important part of our being. It affects our thinking, our actions, our reactions to the world around us, it determines our abilities. The thinking is key to my way of thinking. Schizophrenia is what - a crazy way of thinking? Vision affects thinking. In fact, a substantial portion of our brain is dedicated to interpreting visual input. It's almost like those connections in the brain associated with vision are responsible for schizophrenia. Or, if not responsible, they are at least important to the development of schizophrenia.
Seems like someone should be doing some research to map what a schizo's brain looks like, compared to this subgroup of blind people. That subgroup is probably important - congenital and/or early cortical blindness. You can't take some old bastard like me, who is slowly going blind as a senior citizen, and make him part of that subgroup.
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 25 2019, @07:58AM (1 child)
Yes, Runaway, we know. However, we are just not completely convinced it actually is "thinking."
Ah, of course! Your knowledge of neurophysiology is nearly as great as your understanding of law! Bravo, Runaway! With intellectual giants like you on SoylentNews, all our problems will soon be solved and American made gratis again.
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 25 2019, @10:57AM
Hear, hear!
Not enough, that's for sure, but one can't ask more from Runaway.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Friday October 25 2019, @09:08PM
No, schizophrenia is not "crazy thinking". Schizophrenia is when one has trouble processing what reality is.
Does that mean people have trouble literally seeing what reality is? Well, auditory hallucinations are far more common than visual ones (outside of drug induced schizophrenia).
This sig for rent.