The GABA system in schizophrenia: cells, molecules and microcircuitry
1Program in Structural and Molecular Neuroscience and Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, McLean Hospital, United States; William P. and Henry B. Test Professor of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, United States.
Schizophrenia Research
|August 10, 2015
Summary
This special issue explores the GABA system in schizophrenia, detailing cellular and molecular insights into neural circuitry in key brain regions. Research highlights advancements in understanding corticolimbic microcircuitry disruptions in schizophrenia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Schizophrenia research is increasingly focusing on the GABA system.
- Understanding the cellular and molecular underpinnings of schizophrenia is crucial.
Discussion:
- This special issue synthesizes recent findings on the GABA system in schizophrenia.
- It covers original reports and reviews on neural circuitry in corticolimbic regions.
Key Insights:
- Advances in studying the GABA system offer new perspectives on schizophrenia.
- The role of specific cells, molecules, and microcircuitry is being elucidated.
Outlook:
- Further research into the GABA system may lead to novel therapeutic targets for schizophrenia.
- Continued investigation of corticolimbic circuitry is essential for understanding disease mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
2.5K
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...
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...
2.5K
01:18Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
1.7K
γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
1.7K
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
1.1K
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...
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
1.1K
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
4.8K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
4.8K
01:29Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
14.9K
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...
14.9K
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
69
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such...
69