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Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia01:30

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

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Updated: May 24, 2026

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
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Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Dong-Min Yin1, Yong-Jun Chen, Anupama Sathyamurthy

  • 1Department of Neurology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|February 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Schizophrenia disrupts brain function due to issues in neural development and synaptic transmission. Understanding susceptibility genes offers insights into its complex pathological mechanisms.

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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

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Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
05:14

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Schizophrenia presents complex symptoms like hallucinations and cognitive deficits.
  • Unlike neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia lacks clear pathological hallmarks, hindering understanding.
  • Recent advances identify susceptibility genes, illuminating potential underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence of altered neurotransmission in schizophrenia.
  • To discuss the role of susceptibility genes in neural development and synaptic plasticity.
  • To explore how gene malfunction contributes to schizophrenia pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on schizophrenia pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of evidence for altered neurotransmission at key synapses (glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic).
  • Examination of the function of schizophrenia susceptibility genes in neural development and synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests alterations in glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, and cholinergic neurotransmission.
  • Schizophrenia susceptibility genes play roles in both neural development and adult synaptic function.
  • Malfunction of these genes is implicated in the pathogenic mechanisms of schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • Schizophrenia pathogenesis involves disruptions in neural development and synaptic function.
  • Susceptibility genes are crucial for understanding these disruptions.
  • Precise mouse models are proposed to further delineate pathogenic mechanisms.