Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dopamine Perturbation Of Gene Co-Expression Networks Reveals Differential Response In Schizophrenia For Translational Machinery, Mark Z. Kos, Jubao Duan, Alan R. Sanders, Lucy Blondell, Eugene I. Drigalenko, Melanie A. Carless, Pablo V. Gejman, Harald H. H. Goring

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The dopaminergic hypothesis of schizophrenia (SZ) postulates that positive symptoms of SZ, in particular psychosis, are due to disturbed neurotransmission via the dopamine (DA) receptor D2 (DRD2). However, DA is a reactive molecule that yields various oxidative species, and thus has important non-receptor-mediated effects, with empirical evidence of cellular toxicity and neurodegeneration. Here we examine non-receptor-mediated effects of DA on gene co-expression networks and its potential role in SZ pathology. Transcriptomic profiles were measured by RNA-seq in B-cell transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines from 514 SZ cases and 690 controls, both before and after exposure to DA ex vivo (100 μM). …

Efficacy And Safety Of Varenicline For Smoking Cessation In Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis, Saeed Ahmed, Sanya Virani, Vijaya P. Kotapati, Ramya Bachu, Mahwish Adnan, Ali M. Khan

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Objective: Smoking represents a major public health problem among patients with schizophrenia. To this end, some studies have investigated the efficacy of varenicline for facilitating smoking cessation in schizophrenia patients. The present review seeks to synthesize the results of these studies as well as document the reported side effects of using this medication.

Methods: An electronic search was performed using five major databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Included in the current analysis were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that have investigated the effect of varenicline in promoting smoking cessation in patients with schizophrenia. Risk of …

Schizophrenia In Digeorge Syndrome: A Unique Case Report, Sukaina Rizvi, Ali M. Khan, Hina Saeed, Akeem M. Aribara, Alexis Carrington, Alexa Griffiths, Abdul Mohit

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Herein we present the unique case of a 21-year-old African American woman who presented with psychotic features and the incidental finding of basal ganglia calcifications on computed tomography (CT) scan of the head. She was initially presumed to have Fahr’s syndrome in the context of idiopathic bilateral basal ganglia calcifications and psychotic features. Genetic testing performed revealed the deletion of 22q11.2, thus establishing the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome. This case highlights the importance of noticing subtle physical exam findings along with laboratory findings as this led to the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome for this patient. This case is unique in …