Neurohormonal Dysregulations in Schizophrenia

Jeong, Jong Hyun; Hong, Seung Chul; Bahk, Won Myong

Abstract

Endocrinological studies of mental disorder are based on the fact that the neuroendocrinological system is under central nervous system control, thus linking peripheral hormonal secretion and brain activity. Neuroendocrine basis for the onset of schizophrenia which often occurs in adolescence and the gender differences in the clinical expression of illness have been explored. However, the studies of neuroendocrine alterations in schizophrenic patients are rarer and more inconsistent than affective disorder. Although the nature of neuroendocrinological dysfunction is less well characterized in schizophrenia than in mood disorder and anxiety disorder, a number of neuroendocrine abnormalities have been described. In schizophrenic patients, hypercortisolemia has been described especially during acute exacerbation, and persistent hypercortisolemia has been associated with ventricular enlargement and poor prognosis. Also, abnormality in HPA axis, HPG axis, HPT axis, prolactin, growth hormone and other neurohormonal profile has been described in schizophrenia. Although the precise neuroendocrinological alterations of schizophrenia is incompletely understood, the explored neurohormonal changes are helpful in the confirmation of recurrence, the selection of effective therapeutic agents, developing new therapeutic modalities, and prediction of treatment response and prognosis. This article reviews several neurohormonal researches on schizophrenia. For the further development of psychoneurohormonal researches in schizophrenic illness, more extensive studies in many aspects are needed.