Schizophrenia is associated with the concentration of vitamin D in the mother’s body – scientists

A team from the University of Queensland Brain Institute has shed light on the mysterious nature of schizophrenia. This discovery uncovers the hidden details of the complex processes that contribute to the development of psychological disorders, including schizophrenia. The emergence of schizophrenia lies in its genesis, which is a complex interaction of genetics and environment. While the exact pattern remains a mystery, there is strong evidence that this disorder changes the way dopamine is controlled in the brain.

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Potential risk factors during embryonic development are thought to form dopamine circuits in the brain, thus contributing to the development of schizophrenia. An important finding indicates that maternal vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor. This deficiency influences the evolution of dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons, directing their transformation into a fully formed state.

The Brain Institute team used the latest molecular imaging technology to delve deeper into the link between vitamin D, dopaminergic neurons and schizophrenia.

The scientists modeled the embryonic development process by creating dopamine-like neurons. They grew these neurons with and without the hormone calcitriol. After vitamin D is consumed, it remains inactive until it goes through two transformations in the body. The second conversion occurs in the kidneys, where it is converted to calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol binds to the vitamin D receptor in the cell nucleus and turns it on.

The results of the study showed that vitamin D had a significant effect on both the cell differentiation process and the physical structure of the neuron. Lead researcher Darryl Ailes found that the presence of vitamin D alters cell growth and activates a separate dopamine-releasing apparatus.

This apparatus is neurites – growths that sprout from the body of the neuron. These neurites are essential for the transmission and reception of signals throughout the nervous system. The researchers observed a marked increase in the number of neurites and a change in the distribution of dopamine-releasing proteins within these neurites.

The team used a new imaging tool known as false fluorescent neurotransmitters (LFNs) to examine how dopamine uptake and release changes in the presence or absence of calcitriol. These dyes mimic neurotransmitters such as dopamine and make it easy to visualize the accumulation and release of individual molecules at nerve terminals. Their observations showed increased dopamine release in neurons cultured in the presence of calcitriol compared to controls.

“This clearly confirms that vitamin D plays a critical role in the structural differentiation of dopaminergic neurons,” Ailes said. Said.

Using the LFN to track and trace individual dopamine molecules has allowed the researchers to confirm their long-held hypothesis: Vitamin D levels during development play an important role in the formation of dopamine-producing neurons. They suggest that early changes in dopamine neuron differentiation and function may lead to dopamine dysfunction commonly seen in adult schizophrenia.

In the future, the team plans to investigate whether other environmental risk factors for schizophrenia, such as low oxygen levels or infection during pregnancy, affect the development of dopamine neurons.

Previously Focus He wrote that cannabis use is also associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. While many people think that random marijuana use is harmless, recent research suggests otherwise.