The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus and schizophrenia.
The mediodorsal nucleus of the human thalamus is in a crucial position that allows it to establish connections with diverse cerebral structures, particularly the prefrontal cortex. The present review examines existing neurobiologic studies of the brains of people with and without schizophrenia that indicate a possible involvement of the mediodorsal nucleus in this psychiatric disorder. Studies at synaptic and cellular levels of the neurobiology of the mediodorsal nucleus, together with a better anatomic understanding of this diencephalic structure owing to neuroimaging studies, should help to establish a more deep and solid pathophysiologic model of schizophrenia.
Alelú-Paz
Raúl
R
Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Giménez-Amaya
José Manuel
JM
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000473:pathology; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020645:Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins