Cited by 2,020Schizophrenia research and treatmentNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorMental Health and Psychiatry

Schizophrenia genes, gene expression, and neuropathology: on the matter of their convergence

Harrison, P J, Weinberger, D R·2005·Molecular Psychiatry

Abstract

This review critically summarizes the neuropathology and genetics of schizophrenia, the relationship between them, and speculates on their functional convergence. The morphological correlates of schizophrenia are subtle, and range from a slight reduction in brain size to localized alterations in the morphology and molecular composition of specific neuronal, synaptic, and glial populations in the hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and dorsal thalamus. These findings have fostered the view of schizophrenia as a disorder of connectivity and of the synapse. Although attractive, such concepts are vague, and differentiating primary events from epiphenomena has been difficult. A way forward is provided by the recent identification of several putative susceptibility genes (including neuregulin, dysbindin, COMT, DISC1, RGS4, GRM3, and G72). We discuss the evidence for these and other genes, along with what is known of their expression profiles and biological roles in brain and how these may be altered in schizophrenia. The evidence for several of the genes is now strong. However, for none, with the likely exception of COMT, has a causative allele or the mechanism by which it predisposes to schizophrenia been identified. Nevertheless, we speculate that the genes may all converge functionally upon schizophrenia risk via an influence upon synaptic plasticity and the development and stabilization of cortical microcircuitry. NMDA receptor-mediated glutamate transmission may be especially implicated, though there are also direct and indirect links to dopamine and GABA signalling. Hence, there is a correspondence between the putative roles of the genes at the molecular and synaptic levels and the existing understanding of the disorder at the neural systems level. Characterization of a core molecular pathway and a 'genetic cytoarchitecture' would be a profound advance in understanding schizophrenia, and may have equally significant therapeutic implications.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.mp.4001558

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  • Dysfunction of the glutamatergic system might affect synaptic plasticity and cortical microcircuitry, in particular NMDA-receptor signaling.

    “One of the possible mechanisms that may be involved is dysfunction of the glutamatergic system (figure 1), which might affect synaptic plasticity and cortical microcircuitry, in particular (N-methyl-D-aspartate) NMDA-receptor signaling.10”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Grossman MH, Littrel JB, Weinstein R, Szumlanski C, Weinshilboum R . Identification of the possible basis for inherited differences in human catechol-O-methyltransferase. Trans Neurosci Soc 1992; 18: 70.
  2. Straub RE, Egan MF, Hashimoto R, Matsumoto M, Weickert CS, Goldberg T et al. The schizophrenia susceptibility gene dysbindin (DTNBP1, 6p22.3): analysis of haplotypes, intermediate phenotypes, and alternative transcripts. Biol Psychiatry 2003; 53: 167S.
  3. Callicott JH, Pezeawas L, Egan MF, Hariri AR, Mattay VS, Goldberg TE et al. Genetic variationVariation in DISC-1 affects hippocampal structure and function associated with increased risk for schizophrenia and with normal hippocampal structure and function. (in review).
  4. Toro CT, Kasher PR, Deakin JFW . Altered D-serine metabolism in schizophrenia? A post-mortem study using Stanley Consortium brains [Abstract]. Schizophr Res 2004; 67(Suppl): 125.

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Authors
Harrison, P. J., & Weinberger, D. R.
Affiliations
  • Warneford Hospital (GB)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Venue
Molecular Psychiatry
Published
2004-07-20
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
40-68
ISSN
  • 1359-4184 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5578
OpenAlex
W2071090720
Cited by
2,020
References
399
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 42 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 66 · 2015: 88 · 2014: 102 · 2013: 92 · 2012: 129
FWCI
22.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2005-03-29)
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Molecular Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
Keywords
schizophrenia, schizophrenia genetics, susceptibility genes, gene expression, synaptic plasticity, cortical microcircuitry, NMDA receptor, glutamatergic neurotransmission, dopamine signalling, GABA signalling, neuregulin, dysbindin, catechol-O-methyltransferase, DISC1, RGS4, GRM3, G72, hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsal thalamus, brain connectivity
MeSH terms
Dysbindin, Brain, Carrier Proteins, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Schizophrenia, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Neuregulin-1, Dystrophin-Associated Proteins

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