A role for endothelial NMDA receptors in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia

Numerous genetic and postmortem studies link N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction with schizophrenia, forming the basis of the popular glutamate hypothesis. Neuronal NMDAR abnormalities are con-sistently reported from both basic and clinical experiments, however, non-neuronal cells also contain NMDARs, and are rarely, if ever, considered in the discussion of glutamate action in schizophrenia. We offer an examination of recent discoveries elucidating the actions and consequences of NMDAR activation in the neuroendothelium. While there has been mixed literature regarding blood flow alterations in the schizophrenia brain, in this review, we posit that some common findings may be explained by neuroendothelial NMDAR dysfunction. In particular, we emphasize that endothelial NMDARs are key mediators of neurovascular coupling, where increased neuronal activity leads to increased blood flow. Based on the broad conclusions that hypoperfusion is a neuroanatomical finding in schizophrenia, we discuss potential mechanisms by which endothelial NMDARs contribute to this dis-order. We propose that endothelial NMDAR dysfunction can be a primary cause of neurovascular abnormalities in schizophrenia. Importantly, functional MRI studies using BOLD signal as a proxy for neuron activity should be considered in a new light if neurovascular coupling is impaired in schizophrenia. This review is the first to pro-pose that NMDARs in non-excitable cells play a role in schizophrenia. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Numerous studies have linked NMDAR dysfunction with schizophrenia, but the focus has mainly been on neuronal NMDARs. This review explores the actions and consequences of NMDAR activation in the neuroendothelium and suggests that endothelial NMDAR dysfunction may contribute to blood flow alterations in schizophrenia.