Low levels of alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA on peripheral blood lymphocytes in schizophrenia and its association with illness severity

Neuropsychobiology
Orly PerlSara Fuchs

Abstract

There is evidence that the nicotinic alpha7-acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-AChR) is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Several neurotransmitter receptors, including alpha7-AChR, have been demonstrated on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and it has been suggested that these peripheral receptors may reflect corresponding brain receptors. In this study we compare alpha7 mRNA expression in PBL between schizophrenia patients and control individuals in order to determine whether any correlation exists between alpha7 mRNA expression in PBL and severity of schizophrenia. In addition, the isoforms of alpha7-AChR expressed are identified. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from individuals with schizophrenia (n = 44) and from healthy subjects (n = 16). Symptomatology and illness severity were assessed using standard clinical psychiatric evaluation scales. RNA was prepared from isolated lymphocytes and alpha7 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. We observed a significantly lower level of alpha7 mRNA on PBLs of schizophrenia patients in comparison with healthy controls (p < 0.00). A tendency to a negative correlation was noted between the CGI score, reflecting illness severity, and the alpha7-subunit gene expression. O...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 4, 2008·Psychopharmacology·Cherrie Galletly
Jan 7, 2010·Current Opinion in Psychiatry·Georg Winterer
Nov 1, 2007·Journal of Dual Diagnosis·Sherry LeonardRobert Freedman
Dec 24, 2008·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics·Elizabeth Scarr, Brian Dean
Jun 28, 2012·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·Undurti N Das
Dec 18, 2007·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics : the Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·Chihiro KakiuchiTadafumi Kato
Jul 5, 2011·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Henri-Jean AubinGeorg Winterer
Jan 7, 2018·Journal of Neural Transmission·Sunil V KalmadyGanesan Venkatasubramanian
Feb 15, 2015·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·Xitong DangTodd W Costantini
Jun 12, 2018·Molecular Neuropsychiatry·Marquis Philip VawterTerry W Osborn

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