Dopamine receptor signaling molecules are altered in elderly schizophrenic cortex

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Dopaminergic signal transduction molecules are altered in schizophrenia.
• This supports the hypothesis of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission in the illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the hypothesis of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia.
• To measure transcript expression of three proteins involved in dopamine (DA) signaling.

Main Methods:

• Examined postmortem brain tissue (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) from elderly schizophrenic subjects and a comparison group.
• Measured transcript expression of calcyon, spinophilin, and DARPP-32 mRNA.

Main Results:

• Calcyon transcript expression was increased by 25% in both prefrontal and cingulate cortex of schizophrenic subjects.
• Spinophilin transcript levels were increased by 22% in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex but unchanged in anterior cingulate cortex.
• DARPP-32 mRNA levels were similar between groups in both cortical regions.

Conclusions:

• Increased calcyon and spinophilin mRNA levels in specific cortical regions provide further evidence for altered dopaminergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia.
• Findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia.