Neuroplasticity processes in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background. Schizophrenia is a mental disease that includes disruptions in cognition, perception, emotional receptivity, and social synergy. Neuroplasticity is a process with adaptive changes in the brain. It is the ability of the nervous system to reorganize its structure, functions in reply to different stimuli. Objective of the study. The objective of the study is to analyze recent material about the functional and structural changes that happen in patients’ brains with schizophrenia. Material and methods. The analysis of the latest information that shows the relation between neuroplasticity processes and the mental disorder such as schizophrenia published on reliable sources such as NIH, PubMed, World Health Organization, Scientific Research, The American Journal of Psychiatry and others. Results. In a meta-analysis effectuated in the USA, two groups participated, the first is people with schizophrenia and the second healthy individuals. Compared with the second group, the first has a more widespread thinner cortex, surface area is smaller, and frontal and temporal lobe regions are the largest effect sizes. In another study, also effectuated in the USA, in magnetic resonance imaging studies of schizophrenia, the most common findings were diminished gray matter volumes of the medial and superior temporal, prefrontal areas. One of the most important findings in schizophrenia is a reduced level of the N-acetylaspartate in the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, temporal cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia. Conclusion. Numerous studies propose that schizophrenia may be a neuroplasticity disorder. Countless mechanisms of neuroplasticity implicate molecules affiliated with glutamatergic neurotransmission. In schizophrenia numerous of these molecules have also been found to be abnormal.