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Apoptosis in schizophrenia: pathophysiologic and therapeutic considerations
1Department of Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7160, USA. jarskog@med.unc.edu
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|April 14, 2006
Summary
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, appears downregulated in chronic schizophrenia, potentially impacting neuronal viability. Antipsychotic treatments show complex effects on this process, suggesting therapeutic implications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Apoptosis has been long hypothesized to play a role in schizophrenia.
- Recent research is beginning to investigate this link through various molecular and genetic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on apoptotic regulatory proteins, DNA fragmentation, and gene microarrays.
- To highlight the potential role of apoptosis in schizophrenia's pathophysiology and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies examining apoptotic regulatory proteins.
- Analysis of DNA fragmentation patterns.
- Examination of gene microarray data.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests apoptotic activity may be downregulated in chronic schizophrenia.
- Antipsychotics exert complex effects on central nervous system apoptotic regulation, influencing both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis downregulation in the cortex of chronic schizophrenia patients is paradoxical.
- This may indicate a failure to respond to apoptotic insults or a compensatory response to prior insults.
- Antipsychotic treatment can alter apoptotic responses, with implications for managing gray matter loss.
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