Schizophrenia as a disorder of neuroplasticity.
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness affecting millions worldwide with significant financial and emotional burdens for afflicted persons, their families, and society. Considering schizophrenia as a disorder of neuroplasticity permits integration of competing neurochemical and neurodevelopmental hypotheses. Recent advances have linked the pathophysiology of schizophrenia with abnormalities of the glutamate neurotransmitter system. Elements of glutamergic neurotransmission implicated in schizophrenia, including glutamate receptors and receptor-associated molecules, have critical roles in long-term potentiation, a molecular correlate of neuroplasticity. We suggest that schizophrenia can be considered a disorder of plasticity, associated with molecular abnormalities of the glutamate synapse.
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Robert E
RE
McCullumsmith
Sarah M
SM
Clinton
James H
JH
Meador-Woodruff
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000473:pathology*
D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate