Premium
Research Review: Cholinergic mechanisms, early brain development, and risk for schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Ross Randal G.,
Stevens Karen E.,
Proctor William R.,
Leonard Sherry,
Kisley Michael A.,
Hunter Sharon K.,
Freedman Robert,
Adams Catherine E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2009.02187.x
Subject(s) - schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , neuroscience , psychology , brain development , nicotinic agonist , medicine , psychiatry , receptor
The onset of diagnostic symptomology for neuropsychiatric diseases is often the end result of a decades‐long process of aberrant brain development. Identification of novel treatment strategies aimed at normalizing early brain development and preventing mental illness should be a major therapeutic goal. However, there are few models for how this goal might be achieved. This review uses the development of a psychophysiological correlate of attentional deficits in schizophrenia to propose a developmental model with translational primary prevention implications. Review of genetic and neurobiological studies suggests that an early interaction between α7 nicotinic receptor density and choline availability may contribute to the development of schizophrenia‐associated attentional deficits. Therapeutic implications, including perinatal dietary choline supplementation, are discussed.