NMDA receptor mRNA correlation with antemortem cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
We investigated the expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, an important glutamate receptor, in brains from a population of well characterized schizophrenic patients who prospectively consented to tissue donation. Levels of NR-1 mRNA in tissue homogenates of superior temporal cortex were reduced by 30% in cognitively impaired schizophrenic patients compared with controls (p < 0.04), while levels in patients without cognitive impairment showed no such reduction. The NR-1 mRNA deficit was significantly correlated with general cognitive function as rated with the Global Deterioration scale (p < 0.001), the Mini-Mental State examination (p < 0.01) and the premorbid IQ determined using the National Adult Reading Test (NART, p < 0.01). NR-1 mRNA concentration was not correlated with age, sex, pH or postmortem delay in the control and schizophrenia group when analysed separately or combined. There was, therefore, a significant correlation between NR-1 mRNA loss and cognitive deterioration in patients with schizophrenia.
Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.
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Humphries
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Mortimer
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Hirsch
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de Belleroche
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate