Cognitive functioning and GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor binding in schizophrenia: a 123I-iomazenil SPET study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
S Ball1, G F Busatto, A S David
1Department of Psychology, University of London, United Kingdom.
Background:
The role of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in schizophrenia has previously been investigated using postmortem material. Recently, using single photon emission tomography (SPET) with the selective benzodiazepine antagonist 123I-Iomazenil as the radioligand, we have demonstrated an in vivo relationship between reduced GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor binding and the severity of positive symptomatology in schizophrenia. The present study aimed to build on this using the same in vivo scanning techniques, and relating findings to cognitive functioning.
Methods:
Ten nonpsychiatric control subjects and 15 schizophrenic patients, matched for age and handedness, were scanned. A battery of neuropsychologic tests was also administered.
Results:
Correlational analysis revealed a pattern of increased correlations between GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor binding and task performance, in the schizophrenic group compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
Findings are preliminary but suggest a relationship between reduced GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor binding and poorer cognitive functioning, involving memory and visual attention processes, in the schizophrenic group but not in the control group. A role for GABA in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is suggested. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
More Related Videos
07:02A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development
Published on: February 11, 2019
07:51Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
Published on: November 14, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists