Recent Advances in the Neurobiology of Schizophrenia

Table 2.

Summary of Neurochemical Findings in Schizophrenia

Neurotransmitter Strength of evidence
+/− = weak; + = moderate; ++ = good; +++ = strong; ++++ = very strong shown by meta-analysis. ↑ = increase; ↓ = decrease. α Though much of the increase is due to antipsychotic medication.
Dopamine
    Striatal D2 receptors ↑ ++++α
    Dopamine content or metabolism ↑ +++α
    Amphetamine-stimulated dopamine transmission ↑ +++
    Cortical D1 receptors ↓ +
    Cortical D3 receptors ↑ +
    D4 receptors ↑ +/−
    Abnormal configuration of D2 receptors +/−
    Altered dopamine receptor–G protein coupling +/−
Serotonin
    Cortical 5-HT2A receptors ↓ +++
    Cortical 5-HT1A receptors ↑ ++
    CSF 5-HIAA concentrations related to negative symptoms +
Glutamate
    Expression of non-NMDA receptors in the temporal cortex and hippocampus ↓ ++
    Cortical expression of some NMDA receptor subunits ↑ ++
    Glutamate reuptake in frontal cortex ↑ +
    Cortical glutamate release ↓ +
    Altered concentrations of glutamate and metabolites +/−

This Article

  1. MI February 2003 vol. 3 no. 1 27-39