[Cortical excitability in schizophrenia. Studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neurophysiology

Context:

• Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormalities in brain plasticity and information processing.
• Cortical inhibition and facilitation are disturbed in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a neurophysiological tool to measure cortical excitability.

Purpose:

• To review diagnostic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies in schizophrenia.
• To explore pathophysiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia using TMS paradigms.
• To assess the evidence for altered cortical inhibition in schizophrenia.

Summary:

• Available diagnostic TMS studies in schizophrenia consistently support the hypothesis of reduced cortical inhibition.
• This reduction in cortical inhibition is likely associated with a GABAergic deficit.
• The review discusses factors influencing TMS results, limitations, and future research directions.

Impact:

• Provides evidence for neurophysiological underpinnings of schizophrenia.
• Highlights the potential of TMS as a diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.
• Suggests GABAergic dysfunction as a key mechanism in schizophrenia pathophysiology.