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Schizophrenia: reproductive hormones and the brain
1Department of Neurlogy, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, 97201-3098, USA. stevenja@ohsu.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|May 3, 2002
Summary
Schizophrenia onset often coincides with the reproductive period, linked to neuroendocrine shifts in the basal forebrain. Hormonal surges require inhibitory factors to prevent hyperexcitability, potentially explaining schizophrenia
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Schizophrenia frequently emerges during the reproductive years.
- The basal forebrain plays a crucial role in neuroendocrine and physiological regulation during this period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuroendocrine and physiological events in the basal forebrain during the reproductive period.
- To explore the potential relationship between these events and the onset of schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of neuroendocrine changes in the anterior basal forebrain.
- Correlation of these changes with known pathologies of schizophrenia.
Main Results:
- The reproductive period involves pulsatile release of gonadotropic and gonadal hormones.
- Receptors for these hormones are concentrated in limbic system nuclei projecting to key brain areas for perception and cognition.
Conclusions:
- Pubertal surges of estrogen and testosterone necessitate counterbalancing inhibitory factors.
- Imbalances in inhibitory neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, GABA) in the basal forebrain may contribute to schizophrenia pathophysiology.