The serotonergic pathway showing the effects of schizophrenia

The two key serotonergic pathways in schizophrenia are the projections from the dorsal raphe nuclei into the substantia nigra and the projections from the rostral raphe nuclei ascending into the cerebral cortex, limbic regions and basal ganglia. The up-regulation of these pathways leads to hypofunction of the dopaminergic system, and this effect may be responsible for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The serotonergic nuclei in the brainstem that give rise to descending serotonergic axons remain unaffected in schizophrenia.

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References

The role or serotonin in schizophrenia. The American college of neuropsychopharmacology. www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000117/CH115.html. Accessed on 29 September 2010.

The neurophysiology of schizophrenia. The law-library.net. http://www.uplink.com.au/lawlibrary/Documents/Docs/Doc25.html. Accessed on 29 September 2010