Schizophrenia as a GSK-3 dysregulation disorder

Trends Neurosci. 2007 Apr;30(4):142-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2007.02.002. Epub 2007 Feb 26.

Abstract

Converging evidence suggests that the regulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) might be important in schizophrenia. Atypical and typical antipsychotic drugs alter GSK-3 activity, as do drugs that induce psychosis. GSK-3 regulatory pathways are altered in schizophrenia, and many of the genes associated with schizophrenia directly or indirectly regulate GSK-3 activity. We propose a variant on the neurodevelopment and dopamine hypotheses of schizophrenia, whereby (i) an early dysfunction in GSK-3 regulation has neurodevelopmental consequences that predispose to disease and (ii) dysfunction in GSK-3 regulation in the adult brain alters dopamine signalling events, causing psychotic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. If, as we suggest, GSK-3 regulation is crucial to schizophrenia, the Wnt and insulin signalling pathways become targets for therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / physiology*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Schizophrenia / enzymology*
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3