EC Paediatrics

Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms ranging from psychosis to cognitive deficits and emotional dysregulation. Dysfunctions within glutamatergic neurotransmission are central to the disorder. At the core of this dysfunction is the idea of NMDA receptor hypofunction, which can also be reflected in changes to glutamate receptor subtypes. Elevated levels of glutamine, a metabolite of glutamate, have been documented in chronic and first-episode psychosis, and there is a correlation between abnormal glutamate levels and the symptomatic dimensions of schizophrenia. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region implicated in cognitive and emotional processing, exhibits significant glutamatergic abnormalities in schizophrenia. Studies also indicate that patients have altered glutamate levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), correlating with functional connections and neural activation during cognitive tasks. Overall, the involvement of neurotransmitters, particularly glutamate, and their receptors plays a critical role in the etiology of schizophrenia.

 Keywords: Schizophrenia; Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC); Nerve Transmitters

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