title: Wnt signaling in neuropsychiatric disorders: ties with adult hippocampal neurogenesis and behavior.
abstract: In an effort to better understand and treat mental disorders, the Wnt pathway and adult hippocampal neurogenesis have received increased attention in recent years. One is a signaling pathway regulating key aspects of embryonic patterning, cell specification and adult tissue homeostasis. The other is the generation of newborn neurons in adulthood that integrate into the neural circuit and function in learning and memory, and mood behavior. In this review, we discuss the growing relationship between Wnt signaling-mediated regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis as it applies to neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence suggests dysfunctional Wnt signaling may aberrantly regulate new neuron development and cognitive function. Indeed, altered expression of key Wnt pathway components are observed in the hippocampus of patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinically-utilized mood stabilizers also proceed through modulation of Wnt signaling in the hippocampus, while Wnt pathway antagonists can regulate the antidepressant response. Here, we review the role of Wnt signaling in disease etiology and pathogenesis, regulation of adult neurogenesis and behavior, and the therapeutic targeting of disease symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: qasimhussaini@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Syed Mohammed Qasim
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hussaini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Chan-Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Chang Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Hyo Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Heechul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: jang.mihyeon@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Mi-Hyeon
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Adult neurogenesis; Hippocampus; Psychiatric disorders; Wnt signaling