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Is oestrogen a 'biological neuroleptic'?

Subhagata Chattopadyay1

  • 1SUBHAGATA CHATTOPADHYAY, B-166, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur- 721 302, West Bengal. Tel. No: (03222)- 277054 (R), 282651(R), and 282650 (O). subhagatachatteriee@yahoo.com.

Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|January 6, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oestrogen may play a role in moderating schizophrenia in women. Further research could explore oestrogen as a novel therapeutic agent for female schizophrenic patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Schizophrenia is a complex multifactorial disorder with debated aetiologies.
  • Male-female differences in schizophrenia onset, course, and treatment response suggest potential biological influences.
  • The oestrogen-hypothesis in schizophrenia remains an area requiring further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of oestrogen as a core biological factor in schizophrenia.
  • To explore the influence of oestrogen in the context of sex-based differences observed in schizophrenia.
  • To clarify the oestrogen-hypothesis in schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of electronic data sources.
  • Inclusion of supportive evidence, both direct and indirect, on oestrogen's role in the brain.
  • Focus on evidence relevant to schizophrenia.

Main Results:

  • Postulation that oestrogen has a potential effect in moderating the process of schizophrenia in females.
  • Evidence suggests a differential impact of oestrogen in male and female schizophrenic patients.

Conclusions:

  • Oestrogen warrants investigation as a novel therapeutic agent for female schizophrenics.
  • Nuclear imaging techniques could support the therapeutic application of oestrogen in schizophrenia.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate oestrogen's role in schizophrenia treatment.
Keywords:
dopamineoestrogenschizophreniaserotonin

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