The GABAergic system in schizophrenia.
A defect in neurotransmission involving gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in schizophrenia was first proposed in the early 1970s. Since that time, a considerable effort has been made to find such a defect in components of the GABAergic system. After a brief introduction focusing on historical perspectives, this paper reviews post-mortem and other biological studies examining the following components of the GABAergic system in schizophrenic subjects: the GABA biosynthetic enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase; free GABA; the GABA transporter; the GABAA, GABAB and benzodiazepine receptors; and the catabolic enzyme GABA transaminase. Additionally, post-mortem studies using morphology or calcium-binding protein to identify GABAergic neurons are also reviewed. Substantial evidence argues for a defect in the GABAergic system of the frontal cortex in schizophrenia which is limited to the parvalbumin-class of GABAergic interneurons.
Blum
Brian Paul
BP
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Neuroscience, New York 10032, USA. bb453@columbia.edu
Mann
J John
JJ
D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase