Altered Microtubule Associated Proteins in Schizophrenia

In schizophrenia, altered cognitive and affective functions as well as reduced dendritic spine density and diminished synaptic connectivity have been described. The cytoskeleton plays a key role in maintaining axon and dendrite structure as well as the synaptic connections. In this review we will describe evidence supporting that schizophrenia is a cytoskeletal disease. In addition, we will describe current data indicating that microtubule associated proteins are implicated in the abnormal dendrite structure and the lost of synaptic connectivity. Evidence presented here indicates that the cytoskeleton could be a target for drug therapy in shizophrenia.