Neuregulin 1 May Have a Large Role in Schizophrenia

Neuregulin 1 comes from a large family of neurotrophic factors, and its gene (NRG1) has been identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Researchers used transgenic mice overexpressing this gene to determine the effect of its overexpression in the brain and behaviorally and to examine its possible reversibility.

Nrg1 overexpression affected neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity both during brain development and in adulthood. The transgenic mice demonstrated schizophrenia-relevant behavioral deficits including anxiety behaviors, decreased sensory gaiting, social withdrawal, and deficient spatial working memory. In addition, glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission was hypofunctional, mimicking conditions seen in schizophrenia.…