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Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
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Published on: December 4, 2014

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Decrease in olfactory and taste receptor expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in chronic schizophrenia

Belén Ansoleaga1, Paula Garcia-Esparcia1, Raquel Pinacho2

  • 1Institut de Neuropatologia, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.

Journal of Psychiatric Research
|October 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Olfactory (OR) and taste (TASR) receptors are down-regulated in the brain in schizophrenia. This finding suggests their involvement in altered cognition and potential antipsychotic mechanisms in this neuropsychiatric disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Olfactory (OR) and taste (TASR) chemoreceptors show altered expression in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • This suggests a potential role for these receptors in broader neuropsychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the deregulation of OR and TASR gene expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in schizophrenia.
  • To explore the association between gene expression, clinical symptoms, and antipsychotic treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used on postmortem DLPFC tissue.
  • Subjects included individuals with chronic schizophrenia (n=15) and controls (n=14).
  • Clinical data, including negative symptoms and chlorpromazine dose, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A significant down-regulation of 7/11 ORs and 4/6 TASRs was observed in schizophrenia patients.
  • The most pronounced changes were linked to genes at the 11p15.4 locus.
  • Gene expression changes did not correlate with symptom severity or illness duration but inversely associated with chlorpromazine dose.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of decreased brain ORs and TASRs in schizophrenia.
  • The findings suggest a role for these receptors in altered cognition associated with schizophrenia.
  • OR and TASR expression may be influenced by antipsychotic medications, indicating their potential involvement in treatment mechanisms or side effects.
Keywords:
AntipsychoticsOlfactory receptorsPrefrontal cortexSchizophreniaTaste receptors

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