Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia
Cognitive deficits are core symptoms of schizophrenia but remain poorly addressed by dopamine-based antipsychotic medications. Glutamate abnormalities are implicated in schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits. While the role of the NMDA receptor has been extensively studied, less attention was give...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/15/8617 |
| _version_ | 1797441757989830656 |
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| author | Hagar Bauminger Inna Gaisler-Salomon |
| author_facet | Hagar Bauminger Inna Gaisler-Salomon |
| author_sort | Hagar Bauminger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cognitive deficits are core symptoms of schizophrenia but remain poorly addressed by dopamine-based antipsychotic medications. Glutamate abnormalities are implicated in schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits. While the role of the NMDA receptor has been extensively studied, less attention was given to other components that control glutamate homeostasis. Glutamate dynamics at the tripartite synapse include presynaptic and postsynaptic components and are tightly regulated by neuron–astrocyte crosstalk. Here, we delineate the role of glutamate homeostasis at the tripartite synapse in schizophrenia-related cognitive dysfunction. We focus on cognitive domains that can be readily measured in humans and rodents, i.e., working memory, recognition memory, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. We describe tasks used to measure cognitive function in these domains in humans and rodents, and the relevance of glutamate alterations in these domains. Next, we delve into glutamate tripartite synaptic components and summarize findings that implicate the relevance of these components to specific cognitive domains. These collective findings indicate that neuron–astrocyte crosstalk at the tripartite synapse is essential for cognition, and that pre- and postsynaptic components play a critical role in maintaining glutamate homeostasis and cognitive well-being. The contribution of these components to cognitive function should be considered in order to better understand the role played by glutamate signaling in cognition and develop efficient pharmacological treatment avenues for schizophrenia treatment-resistant symptoms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:30:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e056d53c497482eb25d2275a7945cc3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:30:44Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e056d53c497482eb25d2275a7945cc32023-11-30T22:29:49ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-08-012315861710.3390/ijms23158617Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in SchizophreniaHagar Bauminger0Inna Gaisler-Salomon1School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelSchool of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelCognitive deficits are core symptoms of schizophrenia but remain poorly addressed by dopamine-based antipsychotic medications. Glutamate abnormalities are implicated in schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits. While the role of the NMDA receptor has been extensively studied, less attention was given to other components that control glutamate homeostasis. Glutamate dynamics at the tripartite synapse include presynaptic and postsynaptic components and are tightly regulated by neuron–astrocyte crosstalk. Here, we delineate the role of glutamate homeostasis at the tripartite synapse in schizophrenia-related cognitive dysfunction. We focus on cognitive domains that can be readily measured in humans and rodents, i.e., working memory, recognition memory, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. We describe tasks used to measure cognitive function in these domains in humans and rodents, and the relevance of glutamate alterations in these domains. Next, we delve into glutamate tripartite synaptic components and summarize findings that implicate the relevance of these components to specific cognitive domains. These collective findings indicate that neuron–astrocyte crosstalk at the tripartite synapse is essential for cognition, and that pre- and postsynaptic components play a critical role in maintaining glutamate homeostasis and cognitive well-being. The contribution of these components to cognitive function should be considered in order to better understand the role played by glutamate signaling in cognition and develop efficient pharmacological treatment avenues for schizophrenia treatment-resistant symptoms.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/15/8617schizophreniacognitive deficitsglutamate tripartite synapseneuron–astrocyte interactionsanimal models |
| spellingShingle | Hagar Bauminger Inna Gaisler-Salomon Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia International Journal of Molecular Sciences schizophrenia cognitive deficits glutamate tripartite synapse neuron–astrocyte interactions animal models |
| title | Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |
| title_full | Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |
| title_fullStr | Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |
| title_short | Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |
| title_sort | beyond nmda receptors homeostasis at the glutamate tripartite synapse and its contributions to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia |
| topic | schizophrenia cognitive deficits glutamate tripartite synapse neuron–astrocyte interactions animal models |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/15/8617 |
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