Faint smells of schizophrenia

People who suffer from schizophrenia exhibit symptoms such as apathy, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and delusions, as well as difficulties in discerning odors. According to a new study, olfactory problems can signal impending schizophrenia months before the ailment’s more disturbing symptoms kick in.

Neuropsychologist Warrick J. Brewer of Orygen Youth Health, a mental-health-research facility in Parkville, Australia, and his coworkers studied 81 teenagers and young adults considered at high risk for developing schizophrenia because they showed mild paranoia and other psychotic symptoms.