Reelin Signaling and Synaptic Plasticity in Schizophrenia

Brain Sci. 2023 Dec 11;13(12):1704. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13121704.

Abstract

Recent research emphasizes the significance of studying the quality of life of schizophrenia patients, considering the complex nature of the illness. Identifying neuronal markers for early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Reelin (RELN) stands out among these markers, with genetic studies highlighting its role in mental health. Suppression of RELN expression may contribute to cognitive deficits by limiting dendritic proliferation, affecting neurogenesis, and leading to improper neuronal circuits. Although the physiological function of reelin is not fully understood, it plays a vital role in hippocampal cell stratification and neuroglia formation. This analysis explores reelin's importance in the nervous system, shedding light on its impact on mental disorders such as schizophrenia, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches, and at the same time, raises the following conclusions: increased methylation levels of the RELN gene in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia results in a multiple decrease in the expression of reelin, and monitoring of this indicator, i.e., methylation levels, can be used to monitor the severity of symptoms in the course of schizophrenia.

Keywords: GABAergic interneurons; cortical development malformations; mental disorders; neurodevelopment; neuronal migration; neuroplasticity; reelin; schizophrenia; synaptic plasticity.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.