Study on the molecular pathophysiology of schizophrenia based on the chiral-specific action of neutral amino acids

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23591668
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: YAMAMOTO Naoki 東京医科歯科大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (70312296)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: D－セリン / 統合失調症 / NMDA受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study I have focused on the chiral-specific action of neutral amino acids especially D-serine, a coagonist of NMDA type glutamate receptor, in the central nervous system to further understand pathophysiology of schizophrenia and to develop novel therapeutics. During the genetic study I have found some of the D-serine-NMDA receptor signal-related genes are associated with schizophrenia. In this study focusing on the chiral-specific agonistic action of neutral amino acids as well as the NMDA receptor antagonism by PCP, I further obtained some evidence that indicated possible heterogeneity of the disease-vulnerability based on the gender- and age of onset-stratified genetic approach.

Free Research Field

精神医学