Disrupted relationship between blood glucose and brain dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in patients with first-episode schizophrenia

Abstract

Highlights Disturbed glycemic control is an intrinsic feature of schizophrenia. The neurotransmitter dopamine has a key role in regulating glucose homeostasis. We studied brain dopamine and blood glucose levels in first episode psychosis. The relationship between glucose and brain dopamine is altered in schizophrenia.

Prefrontal cortical dopamine deficit may cause impaired glucose metabolism in schizophrenia

“…Conversely, the systemic depletion of dopamine via a-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) impaired peripheral insulin–mediated glucose uptake [ 19 ]. What is more, a PET study reported that extracellular dopamine levels in VTA were high when plasma glucose levels were low in healthy volunteers, but this correlation was disrupted in patients with schizophrenia [ 20 ].…”

Glucose metabolism, hippocampal subfields and cognition in first-episode and never-treated schizophrenia

“…2017 ; Hagi et al., 2021 ). In addition, studies have shown that disrupted interactions between glucose homeostasis and brain dopamine signaling are a candidate mechanism to better understand the pathogenesis of SZ ( Sauerzopf et al., 2021 ).…”