[PDF][PDF] Glutamatergic theories of schizophrenia

DC Javitt - Israel Journal of Psychiatry, 2010 - cdn.doctorsonly.co.il
Israel Journal of Psychiatry, 2010cdn.doctorsonly.co.il
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects up to 1% of the population worldwide.
traditional models of schizophrenia have emphasized dopaminergic dysfunction. over the
last 20 years, however, limitations of the dopamine model have become increasingly
apparent, necessitating development of alternative models. Glutamatergic models are based
upon the observation that the psychotomimetic agents such as phencyclidine (PCP) and
ketamine induce psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive disturbances similar to those of …
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects up to 1% of the population worldwide. traditional models of schizophrenia have emphasized dopaminergic dysfunction. over the last 20 years, however, limitations of the dopamine model have become increasingly apparent, necessitating development of alternative models. Glutamatergic models are based upon the observation that the psychotomimetic agents such as phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine induce psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive disturbances similar to those of schizophrenia by blocking neurotransmission at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors. Because glutamate/NMDA receptors are located throughout the brain, glutamatergic models predict widespread cortical dysfunction with particular involvement of NMDA receptors throughout the brain.
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