Cerebellum and schizophrenia - The cerebellum volume reduction theory of schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a progressive mental disorder involving positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments. Typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs are commonly used to treat these symptoms. Recent neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that schizophrenia is associated with reductions in the volume of tissue in the cerebrum and cerebellum, and a disruption of the neural connectivity between them. In addition, there is evidence that reduced cerebral volume can induce positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments, while reductions in the volume of the cerebellum can disrupt the cerebellar regulation of activity in the cerebrum. In this chapter, a volume reduction theory of schizophrenia taking account of these recent findings, and a model of the relationship between the cerebellum and the development of schizophrenia are presented. Taken together with previous findings, the currently proposed model indicates the importance of developing novel therapies including new atypical neuroleptics acting on neurotrophic factors to increase the volume of brain tissue and improve symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.