The glutamatergic aspects of schizophrenia molecular pathophysiology: role of the postsynaptic density, and implications for treatment.

ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating psychiatric diseases with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1%. Although the specific molecular underpinnings of schizophrenia are still unknown, evidence has long linked its pathophysiology to postsynaptic abnormalities. The postsynaptic density (PSD) is among the molecular structures suggested to be potentially involved in schizophrenia. More specifically, the PSD is an electron-dense thickening of glutamatergic synapses, including ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins, and adhesion and signaling molecules. Being implicated in the postsynaptic signaling of multiple neurotransmitter systems, mostly dopamine and glutamate, the PSD constitutes an ideal candidate for studying dopamine-glutamat

SUBMITTER: Iasevoli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4023453 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature