Modeling schizophrenia with iPSC‐derived neurons and mouse models

Abstract

Thanks to iPS cell technology, it is now possible to directly investigate neuronal dysfunction in vitro using neural cells that retain the patient’s genetic background. Considering the species differences in brain functions between humans and model organisms such as mice, molecular and cellular pathological research using human (patient) neurons is important, which is expected to complement conventional research. To date, many iPS cell‐differentiated neurons derived from patients with schizophrenia have been generated and analyzed for the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the disease. Accordingly, promising candidates for the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the disease have been elucidated. The molecular and cellular pathological research of psychiatric disorders using iPS cell technology has relatively a short history, and thus the research is expected to be further developed. In addition to studies on the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the disease, iPS cell technology is also useful for the establishment of a system for drug screening, evaluation of drug efficacy in the preclinical stages, and evaluation of the neurotoxicity of drugs. In the future, research using iPSC technology will not only clarify the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the disease, but will also lead to the success of drug discovery.