Elucidating the Role of the α7 Nicotinic Receptor in the Etiology of Schizophrenia.

<p>The &#945;7 subunit of the nicotinic receptor, a ligand gated ion channel with an affinity for nicotine, has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia due to the extremely high rate of smoking within the patient population. However, the exact role of the receptor has never fully been determined. In the following studies, various functions the receptor may assume in disease state are evaluated. There is a strong relationship between the immune system and schizophrenia, with the &#945;7 subunit possibly serving as the link between the two. One of the following studies looks at the possibility of the receptor functioning as antigen in an autoimmune response. Blood sera of schizophrenic patients, as well as controls, were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to the &#945;7 subunit of the nicotinic receptor. A sensitive ligand-based assay revealed schizophrenic patients could possess a pathogenic level of antibody that may exacerbate the degenerative nature of the disease, allowing for the possibility that receptor antibodies may serve as a contributing factor in the etiology of the disorder in at least a subset of patients. In other studies, the expression of the &#945;7 receptor was investigated. Recombinant &#945;7 receptor production has eluded researchers in non-mammalian species and this was the focus of our initial studies. In general, the lack of sufficient molecular recombinant techniques utilizing the receptor makes characterization of the &#945;7 receptor and it's specific protein interactions difficult to evaluate. The regulatory mechanisms of the nicotinic receptor &#945;7 subunit production and receptor formation have yet to be completely elucidated. Results in this investigation found a relationship between a functional CRE-element in the promoter region.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Chandley, Michelle Johnson

• alpha7 subunit nicotinic receptor
• schizophrenia
• autoantibody
• CREB
• Life Sciences
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Mental Disorders
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
• Neuroscience and Neurobiology
• Psychiatry and Psychology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1995

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3347