Schizophrenia: One Coat of Many Colors

Abstract

This opinion article presents picture of schizophrenia which starts with intrauterine or early postnatal damage to the developing fetal brain by a number of environmental factors, mediated in part by a signaling chain that links cytokine IL-6 and superoxide toxicities in genetically predisposed subjects. Many epigenetic processes themselves are controlled by synaptic action allowing synaptic control of an extensive range of epigenetic process, that in turn modulate the protein synthesis that is essential for the growth and development of synapses, the dendritic tree and dendritic spines, neural plasticity, long term learning and memory. Excess DNA methylation of the genes for GABAergic relevant molecules would diminish the levels of these molecules in the brain. This central mechanism may activate further signaling chains that involve other brain mechanisms, such as the DA and serotonin systems, lipid peroxidation, etc. Exigencies of space preclude discussion of these earlier hypotheses in any detail. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)