Using differential solubilization and 2-D gel electrophoresis to visualize increased numbers of proteins in the human cortex and caudate nucleus and putamen

Understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia: Contributions from the Melbourne Psychiatric Brain Bank

The Melbourne Psychiatric Brain Bank came into existence 25years ago. This review focusses on lines of research that have used tissue from the Brain Bank over periods of time. Hence there is a discussion on the significance of changes in levels of serotonin 2A receptors in the cortex of patients with schizophrenia and the relevance of such changes with regards to the pathophysiology of the disorder. The extensive contribution made by studies using tissue from the Melbourne Psychiatric Brain Bank to understanding the role of muscarinic receptors in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia is summarised. Finally, findings using brain bank tissue and "omics" technologies are reviewed. In each case, findings using tissue from the Melbourne Psychiatric Brain Bank is placed in context with research carried out on human postmortem CNS in schizophrenia and with findings in other lines of research that can help explain the causes or consequences of changes in CNS molecular cytoarchitecture. This timely review of data from the Melbourne Psychiatric Brain Bank reinforces the challenges faced in trying to increase our understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Continuing to increase our understanding of the disorder is important as a precursor to identifying new drug targets that can be exploited to improve the treatment of a disorder where treatment resistance remains a significant problem (Millan et al., 2016).

Dissecting the Syndrome of Schizophrenia: Progress toward Clinically Useful Biomarkers

The search for clinically useful biomarkers has been one of the holy grails of schizophrenia research. This paper will outline the evolving notion of biomarkers and then outline outcomes from a variety of biomarkers discovery strategies. In particular, the impact of high-throughput screening technologies on biomarker discovery will be highlighted and how new or improved technologies may allow the discovery of either diagnostic biomarkers for schizophrenia or biomarkers that will be useful in determining appropriate treatments for people with the disorder. History tells those involved in biomarker research that the discovery and validation of useful biomarkers is a long process and current progress must always be viewed in that light. However, the approval of the first biomarker screen with some value in predicting responsiveness to antipsychotic drugs suggests that biomarkers can be identified and that these biomarkers that will be useful in diagnosing and treating people with schizophrenia.