New Delhi: Doxycycline, a widely used antibiotic, may help reduce the risk of developing schizophrenia in young adults, according to a new study by researchers from the UK, Finland, and Ireland.

The drug, typically prescribed for respiratory and skin infections, has previously been shown to reduce inflammation in brain cells. The new study analysed data from 56,400 individuals born between 1987 and 1997 who accessed psychiatric services between the ages of 13 and 18 and had taken antibiotics.

Using data from Finland's national health register, the researchers found that individuals treated with doxycycline as adolescents had a 30-35 per cent lower risk of developing schizophrenia after 10 years compared to those who used other antibiotics. The findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Lead author Prof. Ian Kelleher from the University of Edinburgh explained that schizophrenia may be linked to an overactive synaptic pruning process, which eliminates too many connections between brain cells. Doxycycline, which crosses the blood-brain barrier, could potentially moderate this process due to its anti-inflammatory properties, he said.

Kelleher added that adolescence and early adulthood are critical phases for brain development, and early intervention during this window could be key to prevention. However, he cautioned that the study was observational and did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Dr R. Mangala from SCARF Chennai, who was not part of the research, said the study was well-designed with a strong methodology and robust dataset. She added that while the link between doxycycline and schizophrenia is promising, the evidence is not yet conclusive and does not justify clinical use for prevention or treatment.