Alterations of brain membranes in schizophrenia: impact of phospholipase A(2)

Curr Top Med Chem. 2012;12(21):2314-23. doi: 10.2174/156802612805289845.

Abstract

Physiological enzymatic cleavage of membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) results in normal levels of phosphomonoester and phosphodiester, by which a normal dopamine neurotransmission is maintained. Data from postmortem tissue and in vivo imaging studies suggest that increased activity of intracellular calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in the brain of schizophrenic patients might accelerate the breakdown of membrane phospholipids and alter the properties of neuronal membranes, which in turn contributes to a hypodopaminergy. Alterations in PLA2 activity are probably genetically determined and represent a possible pharmacological target for Schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism*
  • Neuroimaging
  • Phospholipases A2 / chemistry
  • Phospholipases A2 / metabolism*
  • Phospholipids / metabolism*
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Phospholipids
  • Phospholipases A2
  • Dopamine