title: Hippocampal dysregulation of dopamine system function and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
abstract: Substantial evidence suggests that psychosis in schizophrenia is associated with dysregulation of subcortical dopamine system function. Here we examine evidence that this dysregulation is secondary to hyperactivity within hippocampal subfields. Enhanced hippocampal activity has been reported in preclinical models and in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, this hippocampal hyperactivity is correlated with enhanced dopamine neuron activity and positive symptoms, respectively. Thus, restoration of hippocampal function could provide a more effective therapeutic approach than current therapeutics based on blockade of dopamine D2 receptors. Indeed, initial studies demonstrate that allosteric modulation of the α5GABA(A) receptor can decrease aberrant dopamine signaling and associated behaviors in a verified rodent model of psychosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lodge
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000494:Allosteric Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; C527986:GABRA5 protein, human; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D004298:Dopamine