EPO Deficiency Upregulates GADD45b/p38 MAPK Axis, Mediating Schizophrenia-Related Synaptic and Cognitive Impairments.

ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic and severe mental illness associated with psychiatric symptoms, cognitive deficits, and social dysfunction. Current clinical interventions only limit relief of psychiatric symptoms and have minimal impact on cognitive impairments. Erythropoietin (EPO), known for its role in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, is significantly low in SZ patients. However, the role of EPO deficiency in SZ-associated cognitive deficits remains unclear. In this study, we used the MK801-induced SZ rat model to show that EPO levels were significantly decreased, correlating with cognitive impairments. EPO supplementation mitigated apoptosis, synaptic damage, and cognitive impairments caused by MK801. RNA-sequencing and Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of growth

SUBMITTER: Guo C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11653605 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature