Dysfunction of Glia-Neuron Communication in Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia

Authors: Hashimoto, Kenji; Shimizu, Eiji; Iyo, Masaomi

Source: Current Psychiatry Reviews, Volume 1, Number 2, June 2005 , pp. 151-163(13)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that genetic factors and environmental factors as well as a dysfunction in the glutamatergic neurotransmission contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Communication between neurons and glia is essential for axonal conduction, synaptic neurotransmission, and information processing, and thus is required for normal functioning of the nervous system during development and throughout adult life. A number of studies have demonstrated that the substances which communicate between neurons and glia are altered in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and postmortem brain samples of schizophrenic patients. These findings suggest that neuron-glia communication might be impaired in the brains of schizophrenic patients. In this article, we review the imbalance of neuron-glia communication presented in the neurodevelopmental hypothesis as well as the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia. First, we discuss the role of growth factors (e.g., basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), midkine), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Second, we focus on the role of endogenous substances (glutamate, glutamine, D-serine, kynurenic acid, and glutathione), which modulate the NMDA receptor function, in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Keywords: nmda receptor; growth factors; neurotrophic factors; cytokines; d-serine; schizophrenia

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573400054065569

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260- 8670, Japan.

Publication date: 2005-06-01

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Current Psychiatry Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on clinical psychiatry and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, epidemiology, clinical care, and therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all clinicians, psychiatrists and researchers in psychiatry.

Dysfunction of Glia-Neuron Communication in Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia

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