'Quality' of Schizophrenia-relevant Molecules: from Genetic and Environmental Factors to Proteins

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder, with a prevalence of approximately 1 % worldwide. The symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations and delusion (positive symptoms), apathy and withdrawal (negative symptoms), and cognitive impairments, which lead to disabilities in social and occupational functioning, and self-care. Although genetic elements have been extensively studied, the precise molecular mechanism of schizophrenia remains elusive. Recently, a role of reduced protein quality (protein aggregation) due to oxidative stress (carbonyl stress) and endoplasmic reticulum stress was proposed in the pathogenesis and pathology of schizophrenia. Here we explain the a current status of the research of schizophrenia while focusing on protein quality.