Current treatment of patients with schizophrenia includes receiving drugs that block the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
These drugs act on dopamine-D2 receptors in the brain. However, the blocking of these receptors can cause undesired side effects such as rigidity and tremor. In this connection, Professor Fang Liu and colleagues decided to find new ways to influence the D2-receptors do not cause the above mentioned side effects. The results of the study, researchers published in the journal Neuron.
Scientists have determined that the D2 receptor can bind to a protein DISC1. Moreover, the level of this combination was substantially higher in the brain tissue of patients with schizophrenia. Delving further, the researchers have identified areas where the two proteins bind to each other.
Based on these data, scientists have created a destructive peptide bond between two of these proteins, suggesting that it may reduce the symptoms of the disease. In experimental animal models of schizophrenia application of this new peptide has reduced the symptoms of disease without side effects.
"We hope that our findings will lead to improved treatments for patients with schizophrenia who are experiencing the side effects of modern drugs," - they add.
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