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Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients caused by down-regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunits.
Chen, Xi; Zhou, Ya-Nan; Lu, Xiao-Zi; Li, Ren-Jiao; Xiong, Yi-Fan; Sheng, Xia; Zhu, Wei-Wei.
Affiliation
  • Chen X; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
  • Zhou YN; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
  • Lu XZ; Department of Psychiatry, Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao 266034, Shandong Province, China.
  • Li RJ; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
  • Xiong YF; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
  • Sheng X; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
  • Zhu WW; Department of Sleep Disorders and Neurosis, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China. q1640809558@163.com.
World J Psychiatry ; 14(6): 784-793, 2024 Jun 19.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38984326
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The expression pattern of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunits are commonly altered in patients with schizophrenia, which may lead to nerve excitation/inhibition problems, affecting cognition, emotion, and behavior.

AIM:

To explore GABA receptor expression and its relationship with schizophrenia and to provide insights into more effective treatments.

METHODS:

This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with schizophrenia treated at our hospital and 126 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during the same period. The expression levels of the GABA receptor subunits were detected using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The recognized cognitive battery tool, the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, was used to evaluate the scores for various dimensions of cognitive function. The correlation between GABA receptor subunit downregulation and schizophrenia was also analyzed.

RESULTS:

Significant differences in GABA receptor subunit levels were found between the case and control groups (P < 0.05). A significant difference was also found between the case and control groups in terms of cognitive function measures, including attention/alertness and learning ability (P < 0.05). Specifically, as the expression levels of GABRA1 (α1 subunit gene), GABRB2 (ß2 subunit gene), GABRD (δ subunit), and GABRE (ε subunit) decreased, the severity of the patients' condition increased gradually, indicating a positive correlation between the downregulation of these 4 receptor subunits and schizophrenia (P < 0.05). However, the expression levels of GABRA5 (α5 subunit gene) and GABRA6 (α6 subunit gene) showed no significant correlation with schizophrenia (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Downregulation of the GABA receptor subunits is positively correlated with schizophrenia. In other words, when GABA receptor subunits are downregulated in patients, cognitive impairment becomes more severe.
Key words

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Language: En Journal: World J Psychiatry Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: China Country of publication: United States

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Language: En Journal: World J Psychiatry Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: China Country of publication: United States