Abnormal Excitatory Neurotransmitter Metabolism in Schizophrenic Brains

Abstract

The changes in levels of aspartate, glutamate, NAAG, and NAALADase are prominent in the prefrontal and hippocampal regions, where previous neuropathological studies of schizophrenic brains demonstrate consistent changes. These findings support the hypothesis that schizophrenia results from a hypofunction of certain glutamatergic neuronal systems. They also suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of neuroleptics may be related to increased glutamatergic activity.