Postsynaptic density: A key convergent site for schizophrenia susceptibility factors and possible target for drug development

Many studies have supported roles for both genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of schizophrenia. A major hypothesis at present is that schizophrenia is a polygenic disorder where alterations in a set of genes lead to impaired neurodevelopment, which in turn results in altered neurotransmission. Several neurotransmitters, including glutamate, dopamine, serotonin and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), have been implicated in schizophrenia, and, as such, there is a growing interest in trying to elucidate the mechanisms whereby alterations in the function of schizophrenia susceptibility gene products can lead to disturbance in signaling at synapses. In this article, we will summarize what is known about schizophrenia susceptibility factors that reside at postsynaptic density (PSD), a unique postsynaptic site where signals from neurotransmitters converge. PSD may be a promising target for novel classes of drugs to treat schizophrenia.