Title:Editorial: Current Pro-Cognitive Therapeutic Strategies for Improved Pharmacological Treatment in Schizophrenia
Volume: 20
Issue: 31
Author(s): Marie-Louise G. Wadenberg
Affiliation:
Abstract: Cognitive impairment influencing memory, attentional focus and executive functions in schizophrenia have a significant impact on social
functioning and quality of life. Cognitive functions depend on normal functioning of brain prefrontal cortex. Attempts to explain cognitive
impairment in schizophrenia include hypotheses (based on among others post-mortem, genetic and imaging data) of dysfunctions involving
dopamine, glutamate, GABA as well as acetylcholine neural transmission. Current antipsychotic drugs are not sufficiently effective against
cognitive symptoms. Thus, while pharmacological treatment strategies earlier primarily focused on managing psychotic (so called positive)
symptoms, current pharmacological strategies aim at identifying compounds with pro-cognitive properties, suitable for treatment of cognitive
symptoms as manifested in schizophrenia.
To this end, scientists are primarily working along two lines: i) developing animal models/tests in rodents with relevance either to cognitive
symptoms as presented in schizophrenia and/or to brain abnormalities in schizophrenia believed to be causing these symptoms; ii) identifying
pro-cognitive compounds with pharmacological properties acting on brain neurotransmitter functions believed to be involved in cognitive
dysfunction in schizophrenia.
The present special issue on ‘Current pro-cognitive therapeutic strategies for improved pharmacological treatment in schizophrenia’ includes
presentation and discussion of the use of the attentional set-shifting test as a relevant model for attentional/executive functioning in schizophrenia
as well as for the identification of pro-cognitive compounds with relevance to schizophrenia treatment Tait et al. [1] and Goetghebeur
and Dias [2], presentation of the neurodevelopmental prenatal methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) model of schizophrenia by Gill and
Grace [3], and discussion of the novel object recognition (NOR) task for memory functions by Rajagopal et al. [6]. In addition, putative procognitive
treatment strategies for schizophrenia treatment such as the use of GABAA receptor agonists [3], the use of compounds acting at
nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from a clinical perspective Boggs et al. [4], as well as the therapeutic significance of compounds (phosphodiesterase,
PDE, inhibitors) influencing intracellular signaling Snyder and Vanover [5] are presented and discussed. Finally, data on the
effects of atypical antipsychotics, as well as 5-HT1A partial agonists, 5-HT7 antagonists, and D1 agonists in the NOR test are reviewed by
Rajagopal et al. [6].
The contributors are all distinguished scientists, and issues discussed in the articles are timely and of great importance for the advancement of
effective schizophrenia treatment strategies. Therefore, this special issue will hopefully be well received and appreciated in the scientific
community dealing with these issues.
