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Published on: September 8, 2021
Neuroimaging and plasticity in schizophrenia.
Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg1, Heike Tost1
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
|August 2, 2013
Summary
Schizophrenia, a brain disorder, shows progressive gray matter loss linked to neurodevelopmental issues and synaptic plasticity disturbances. Interventions targeting these neural circuits offer potential therapeutic avenues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a common, highly heritable brain disorder with a neurodevelopmental origin.
- Its manifestation post-puberty is linked to genetic and environmental factors impacting neural reorganization.
- Progressive gray matter volume reduction is observed in schizophrenia patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the neurodevelopmental origins of schizophrenia.
- To investigate the role of synaptic plasticity in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
- To assess the potential of non-invasive interventions for schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal structural neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of genetic variants associated with neural plasticity.
- Evaluation of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) effects.
Main Results:
- Neuroimaging reveals progressive gray matter reduction in schizophrenia.
- Schizophrenia may involve enduring disturbances in experience-dependent synaptic plasticity.
- Genetic variants linked to neural plasticity correlate with circuit changes.
- TMS impacts systems-level phenotypes, suggesting modifiability.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia pathophysiology involves developmental abnormalities in neural circuits.
- Synaptic plasticity disturbances are central to schizophrenia.
- Non-invasive interventions show promise for modifying core pathophysiological processes.
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