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Schizophrenia Research Project

Characterization of the Etiology of Schizophrenia and Development of Treatments and Preventative Measures based on life course trajectories

Project Leader Makoto Arai

Project Leader
Makoto Arai

Research Summary

Profiling of the peripheral metabolic system is a viable schizophrenia research strategy that can lead to earlier diagnostic methods, elucidation of molecular mechanisms, and novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia.

We focus on, 1) developing individualized medicine for treating schizophrenia, 2) investigating factors involved in disease onset, and 3) understanding the molecular pathology by using biomarkers to overcome the barrier of heterogeneity. Our research outcomes will be applied to drug development by establishing a new biomarker-based field of research in molecular psychiatry. Data obtained from metabolomics, genomics, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell models, animal models, post-mortem brain analyses, neuropsychology, and genetic counseling research will be consolidated to elucidate the genetic and environmental factors relevant to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Carbonyl stress

The biomarker-based approach is an innovative and creative strategy for identifying the metabolic changes associated with schizophrenia, independent of conventional pathological hypotheses. Verification in cellular and animal models can shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the utility of naturally-derived substances in trading schizophrenia, and is expected to lead to the future development of much safer treatments and prophylactic methods.

Selected Publications

  • Suzuki K, et al. (2022) “Role of advanced glycation end products in the longitudinal association between muscular strength and psychotic symptoms among adolescents.” Schizophrenia (Heidelb). 8(1):44.
  • Toriumi K, et al. (2022) “Role of glyoxalase 1 in methylglyoxal detoxification-the broad player of psychiatric disorders.” Redox Biol. 49:102222.
  • Iino K, et al. (2021) “AKR1A1 Variant Associated With Schizophrenia Causes Exon Skipping, Leading to Loss of Enzymatic Activity.” Front Genet. 12:762999.
  • Miyashita M, et al. (2021) “Fingertip advanced glycation end products and psychotic symptoms among adolescents.” NPJ Schizophr. 7:37.
  • Toriumi K, et al. (2021) “Combined glyoxalase 1 dysfunction and vitamin B6 deficiency in a schizophrenia model system causes mitochondrial dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex.” Redox Biology 45: 102057.
  • Yoshikawa A, et al. (2021) “Dysregulation of post-transcriptional modification by copy number variable microRNAs in schizophrenia with enhanced glycation stress.” Transl Psychiatry. 11:331.
  • Kobori A, et al. (2021) “Advanced glycation end products and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.” PLoS One. 16: e0251283.
  • Toriumi K, et al. (2021) “Vitamin B6 deficiency hyperactivates the noradrenergic system, leading to social deficits and cognitive impairment.” Transl Psychiatry. 11: 262.