Serotonin is a neurotransmitter whose dysregulation may underlie the negative symptoms and high rates of depression seen in people with schizophrenia. Supporting this, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been found to be effective in treating the negative symptoms of the disorder.
Compared with healthy subjects, schizophrenic patients may also have increased levels of serotonin and decreased levels of norepinephrine in the brain.
Abnormalities in the brain's dopamine system are linked to the development of schizophrenia symptoms.
Researchers believe that abnormal functioning of brain circuits that involve serotonin as a chemical messenger contribute to mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder).
Hallucinogenic amphetamine selectively destroys brain serotonin nerve terminals. Science.
It is clear that some of the cognitive disturbances that are present in a person with schizophrenia are associated with serotonin deficiency. Abnormalities of the brain structure such as a decreased prefrontal and medial temporal lobe, as well as enlarged ventricles are also attributed to schizophrenia.
Moderate quality evidence also found a medium to large effect of reduced prefrontal serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in people with schizophrenia.
Some studies have found abnormal levels of estrogens and testosterone in schizophrenia patients, but the results have been inconsistent and sometimes attributed to the hyperprolactinemia effect of antipsychotics, which may interfere with sex hormones production.
Research suggests schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin. Some studies indicate an imbalance between the 2 may be the basis of the problem.
Taken together, these findings indicate that low estrogen levels may leave the brain vulnerable to insult or age-related changes, leading to development of schizophrenia or increased symptom severity, and could explain the observed differences in disease onset and severity between males and females.
Chemical changes in the brain
Dopamine, in particular, seems to play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Researchers have found evidence that dopamine causes an overstimulation of the brain in people with schizophrenia. It may account for some of the symptoms of the condition.
The most common theory about the cause of schizophrenia is that there are too many dopamine receptors in certain parts of the brain, specifically the mesolimbic pathway. 1 This causes an increase in mesolimbic activity which results in delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic symptoms.
High levels of dopamine don't cause schizophrenia symptoms. The role dopamine plays in schizophrenia is more complex than that and involves specific dopamine activity. Over time, researchers have discovered evidence that isn't in line with the original dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder. It often runs in families and can cause troubling symptoms. It's caused by a chemical imbalance and other changes in the brain. Symptoms include hearing voices, feeling that people are out to get you, and having false beliefs that are not based in reality.
The risk for schizophrenia has been found to be somewhat higher in men than in women, with the incidence risk ratio being 1.3–1.4. Schizophrenia tends to develop later in women, but there do not appear to be any differences between men and women in the earliest symptoms and signs during the prodromal phase.
Bipolar disorder.
Some people with severe bipolar disorder have delusions or hallucinations. That's why they may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Drug or alcohol use can make it worse. On the other hand, people with schizophrenia can be a danger to themselves. Suicide is the top cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia.
It's also possible to increase serotonin levels without taking medicine. One natural way to increase serotonin is by working out. When you pedal your bicycle or lift weights, your body releases more tryptophan, the amino acid your brain uses to make serotonin.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, Brisdelle) and sertraline (Zoloft)
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in the structure and functioning of a number of key brain systems, including prefrontal and medial temporal lobe regions involved in working memory and declarative memory, respectively.
Researchers believe dopamine plays an important role in psychosis. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, 1 of many chemicals the brain uses to transmit information from 1 brain cell to another.
The dopaminergic mechanism of action makes conventional neuroleptics effective for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but not for the negative symptoms. It is now recognized that serotonin also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Stressful life events
Highly stressful or life-changing events may sometimes trigger schizophrenia. These can include: being abused or harassed. losing someone close to you.