Neurotransmitters/Receptors & Schizophrenia

Please find below neurotransmitters and receptors that may play a role in schizophrenia:

Norepinephrine:

Abnormalities in the noradrenergic system may interact with the dopaminergic system and predispose patients to frequent relapses. Increased norepinephrine in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood caused by clozapine (an atypical antipsychotic) correlate with clinical improvement.

NMDA receptors:

Antagonists of the glutamate receptor NMDA such as phencyclidine (PCP) can produce psychotic symptoms in healthy people and in those with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia could arise from an interaction between decreased NMDA receptor activity and dopaminergic systems.

Glutamate:

Schizophrenia and other disorders, excitatory neurotransmission normally mediated by glutamate may become so overactive that neurons are damaged or lost.

Excitotoxic processes involving glutamate may play a role in many disorders, including mania, panic, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and stroke.

GABA:

The inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA may play a role in causing schizophrenia; e.g., some patients have a loss of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus. The loss of inhibitory GABAergic neurons could lead to hyperactivity of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons.

Acetylcholine:

Blockade of muscarinic receptors by some antipsychotics can cause side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and cognitive blunting. Blockade of muscarinic receptors appears to mitigate EPS effects.

Histamine:

Blockade of histamine H1 receptors by some antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation, weight gain, hypotension, and interference with cognition.