Neuroimmune Interactions in Schizophrenia: Focus on Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Acetylcholine the Alpha-7 nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Author(s)

das Gracas Corsi-Zuelli, Fabiana Maria ; Brognara, Fernanda ; da Silva Quirino, Gustavo Fernando ; Hiroki, Carlos Hiroji ; Fais, Rafael Sobrano ; Del-Ben, Cristina Marta ; Ulloa, Luis ; Salgado, Helio Cesar ; Kanashiro, Alexandre ; Loureiro, Camila Marcelino

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY; v. 8, MAY 31 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating mental disorders and is aggravated by the lack of efficacious treatment. Although its etiology is unclear, epidemiological studies indicate that infection and inflammation during development induces behavioral, morphological, neurochemical, and cognitive impairments, increasing the risk of developing schizophrenia. The inflammatory hypothesis of schizophrenia is also supported by clinical studies demonstrating systemic inflammation and microglia activation in schizophrenic patients. Although elucidating the mechanism that induces this inflammatory profile remains a challenge, mounting evidence suggests that neuroimmune interactions may provide therapeutic advantages to control inflammation and hence schizophrenia. Recent studies have indicated that vagus nerve stimulation controls both peripheral and central inflammation via alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAChR). Other findings have indicated that vagal stimulation and alpha 7nAChR-agonists can provide therapeutic advantages for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and epilepsy. This review analyzes the latest results regarding: (I) the immune-to-brain pathogenesis of schizophrenia; (II) the regulation of inflammation by the autonomic nervous system in psychiatric disorders; and (III) the role of the vagus nerve and alpha 7nAChR in schizophrenia. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/05178-0 - Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: social and biological determinants
• Grantee: Paulo Rossi Menezes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/12195-9 - Impact of early life stress in the inflammatory profile of first episode of psychosis (FEP) patients and in the animal model of post-weaning social isolation
• Grantee: Fabiana Maria das Graças Corsi Zuelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/20549-7 - New insights in cardiovascular regulation under physiological and pathophysiological condition
• Grantee: Helio Cesar Salgado
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/20343-4 - Antiinflammatory cholinergic pathway: the role of neuroimmunomodulation in the control of inflammatory response
• Grantee: Alexandre Kanashiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/07641-0 - The NLRP3 role in erectile dysfunction in hypertensive model DOCA / salt and its possible activation by ET-1
• Grantee: Rafael Sobrano Fais
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/11988-5 - NLRP3 contribution to the pro-inflammatory effect of ET-1 in corpora cavernosa smooth muscle cells: relevance in erectile function.
• Grantee: Fernando Silva Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/10378-6 - The role of inflammasome in the control and pathogenesis of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis and its relation with disease severity in resistant or susceptible hosts
• Grantee: Gustavo Fernando da Silva Quirino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate