Mental Health : Research and Challenges. 2024;
1(1): (150)
doi:
NA
Some Ideas on Schizophrenia Research
JA Ure, L Alba-Ferrara, EH Wainwright, R Caccuri
Abstract
Methods: Three systems of neural circuits and connections are analyzed with their neurobiochemical repercussions: 1) Thalamocortical and thalamosubcortical connections, 2) Glutamate deficiency in granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus causing increased activity in pyramidal neurons in the sector, and; 3) Extensive disconnections of the network extending between the anterior insula (AI, associated with the default mode network – DMN-) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC, linked to the important central executive network, CEN).
Results: The decrease or loss of functional efficiency of important thalamocortical projections (hypoconnectivity mediodorsal thalamus-dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices) added to the anterior thalamic nuclei with the anterior cingulate gyri (bilateral or asymmetric) are potential causes of important cognitive deficits. In addition, hyperconnectivity between the ventrolateral thalamic nuclei and the sensorimotor, auditory and visual regions and extensive subcortical projections are responsible for psychotic symptoms. Besides these derangements, hypofunction can be noted in the granular cell of the dentate gyrus linked to hyperactivity of the pyramidal neurons and causing misperceptions. On the other hand, the dysfunction is made more complex by a disconnection between the anterior insula and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortices (salience network, SN) as well as regional sectors of the central executive (CEN) and the default mode network (DMN), causing functional imbalances between networks with serious compromise in the awareness of oneself.
Conclusion: Three circuits linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia are considered. Functional disorders of thalamocortical connections regarding cognitive while hippocampal hyperactivity would be linked to the generation of psychotic content and disconnection of the anterior insula leads to states of confusion between external and inner world.