How are glutamate and NMDA receptors involved in schizophrenia?

A number of studies have indicated that antagonists of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) subtypes of glutamate receptors can cause schizophrenia-like symptoms in healthy individuals and exacerbate symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. These findings have led to the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia.

What do NMDA glutamate receptors do?

NMDA receptor is a type of G protein-coupled ionotropic glutamate receptor that plays a crucial role in regulating a wide variety of neurological functions, including breathing, locomotion, learning, memory formation, and neuroplasticity.

Is glutamate associated with schizophrenia?

Glutamate and dopamine systems play distinct roles in terms of neuronal signalling, yet both have been proposed to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this paper we assess research that has implicated both systems in the aetiology of this disorder.

What neurotransmitter is high in schizophrenia?

Dopamine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. The revised dopamine hypothesis states that dopamine abnormalities in the mesolimbic and prefrontal brain regions exist in schizophrenia.

How does GABA affect schizophrenia?

In particular, GABA dysfunction is thought to lead to the disinhibition of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons and a loss of synchronous cortical activity. Postmortem studies also suggest that schizophrenia is associated with dysfunctional GABA signalling at the postsynaptic receptor level.

What happens when NMDA is activated?

Activation of NMDA receptors results in the opening of the ion channel that is nonselective to cations, with a combined reversal potential near 0 mV. While the opening and closing of the ion channel is primarily gated by ligand binding, the current flow through the ion channel is voltage-dependent.

What happens when NMDA receptors are blocked?

Such side effects caused by NMDA receptor inhibitors include hallucinations, paranoid delusions, confusion, difficulty concentrating, agitation, alterations in mood, nightmares, catatonia, ataxia, anesthesia, and learning and memory deficits.

What causes schizophrenia dopamine?

Research suggests schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin. Some studies indicate an imbalance between the 2 may be the basis of the problem. Others have found a change in the body’s sensitivity to the neurotransmitters is part of the cause of schizophrenia.