%0 Journal Article
%T Oxytocin in Prevention of Schizophrenia
%J International Journal of Prevention and Treatment
%@ 2167-7298
%D 2013
%I 
%R 10.5923/j.ijpt.20130201.01
%X Hippocampal pathology plays a great role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The hippocampus is susceptible to deleterious effects of stress. Thelink between chronic psychosocial stress and schizophrenia has been repeatedly described by different authors. Sustained psychosocial stress in combination with inherited predisposition can lead to excessively high cortisol levels and to hyperactivation of NMDA receptors. This can trigger delusions and worsen adult neurogenesis that is already insufficient. Subsequent impairment of glutamatergic transmission from the DG to CA3 region, hyperactivation of CA3 region and subsequent hyperactivity of ventral tegmental area (VTA), imbalance between pattern separation and pattern completion can bring to incorrect associations, hallucinations and false psychotic memories which would become salient due to the hyperactivation of dopaminergic system. Cognition, current state of the mind is strongly biased by past experience. Memorized and fixed psychotic experiences can irreversibly change individual¡¯s model of the world, mind and the way of reasoning. There are data suggesting that neurohormone oxytocin can be used in the treatment of schizophrenia. The aim of this paper was to investigate the biological mechanisms of therapeutic effects of oxytocin administration and to find out whether it can be used as a preventive agent. I have studied existing literature concerning biological effects of oxytocin. Briefly, oxytocin takes part in stress limiting mechanisms. This neurohormone dampens behavioral and physiological stress reactions. Importantly, it improves adult neurogenesis, glutamatergic transmission from the DG to CA3 region, activates GABA interneurons, increases BDNF levels and plays a substantial role in maturation of neurons during prenatal period and throughout life. In summary, oxytocin administration to patients with schizophrenia seems to be reasonable, because it fits for the most accepted theories of schizophrenia pathogenesis. And there is a possibility that it can be used as a preventive agent.
%K Schizophrenia
%K Hippocampus
%K Stress
%K GABA
%K Oxytocin
%K Neurodevelopment
%K Prevention
%U http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ijpt.20130201.01.html