The glutamate pathways in a brain affected by schizophrenia
In the normal brain the prominent glutamatergic pathways are: the cortico-cocortical pathways; the pathways between the thalamus and the cortex; and the extrapyramidal pathway (the projections between the cortex and striatum). Other glutamate projections exist between the cortex, substantia nigra, subthalmic nucleus and pallidum. The glutamatergic pathways are hypoactive in the brains people diagnosed with schizophrenia and this is thought to cause the confusion and psychosis associated with the disorder.
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References
Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;10(Suppl 3):21–28.
Brain structures and neuronal projections. Institute of Chemistry, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences. University of Sunderland.