Investigation of betaine as a novel psychotherapeutic for schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Betaine is known to act against various biological stresses and its levels were reported to be decreased in schizophrenia patients. We aimed to test the role of betaine in schizophrenia pathophysiology, and to evaluate its potential as a novel psychotherapeutic.

Methods

Using Chdh (a gene for betaine synthesis)-deficient mice and betaine-supplemented inbred mice, we assessed the role of betaine in psychiatric pathophysiology, and its potential as a novel psychotherapeutic, by leveraging metabolomics, behavioral-, transcriptomics and DNA methylation analyses.

Findings

The Chdh-deficient mice revealed remnants of psychiatric behaviors along with schizophrenia-related molecular perturbations in the brain. Betaine supplementation elicited genetic background-dep

SUBMITTER: Ohnishi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6642071 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature