Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2025
14:44
Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
9.5K
Network-based Molecular Constraints on in vivo Synaptic Density Alterations in Schizophrenia
Sidhant Chopra1,2,3, Patrick D Worhunsky4, Mika Naganawa5
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|April 1, 2025
Summary
Schizophrenia involves widespread synaptic deficits, particularly in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Schizophrenia pathogenesis involves synaptic deficits, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
- Previous research points to synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate synaptic density in schizophrenia using in vivo imaging.
- To explore the relationship between synaptic deficits, brain connectivity, and molecular profiles.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [11C]UCB-J radiotracer.
- Comparison of synaptic density between individuals with schizophrenia (n=29) and healthy controls (n=93).
- Network modeling integrating structural connectivity and molecular similarity.
Main Results:
- Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit widespread lower synaptic density compared to controls.
- Synaptic deficits spatially correlate with specific neurotransmitter receptor distributions (GABA, serotonin, cannabinoid).
- Network models confirm synaptic pathology is constrained by connectivity and molecular similarity.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia involves widespread synaptic density deficits.
- Axonal connectivity and molecular profiles jointly constrain synaptic pathology.
- Pathology may originate in prefrontal areas and spread to connected, similar regions.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
5.6K
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
5.6K
02:26Protein Networks
3.9K
An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
3.9K
01:49Conserved Binding Sites
4.1K
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
4.1K
02:00Molecular Models
37.6K
Physical models representing molecular architectures of chemical compounds play essential roles in understanding chemistry. The use of molecular models makes it easier to visualize the structures and shapes of atoms and molecules.
37.6K
02:04Protein-protein Interfaces
12.4K
Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a...
12.4K
01:25Nucleic Acid Structure
5.9K
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA...
DNA Structure
DNA...
5.9K