Title:Contrasting Roles of the Galectin-3 in the Schizophrenia Onset, Clinical Presentation, and Somatic Comorbidity
Volume: 21
Issue: 16
Author(s): Milica M. Borovcanin*, Gordana D. Radosavljevic, Jelena Pantic, Jelena Milovanovic, Natasa R. Mijailovic, Aleksandar N. Arsenijevic and Nebojsa N. Arsenijevic
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac,Serbia
Keywords:
Cognition, Comorbidity, Galectin-3, Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, Psychosis, Schizophrenia.
Abstract: The role of the Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has already been explored in various somatic diseases,
considering its engagement in infection, acute and chronic inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Additionally, it has been recognized that Gal-3 is included in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration,
so we presented the possibility for its involvement in neuroprogression in schizophrenia.
Gal-3 possibly participates in the early life programming of schizophrenia, also in the specific response
to viral infections as a “second hit” later in life, and as a part of a unique systemic somatic
dysfunction leading to the specific mental changes. In this review, we would like to put all these
previous observations of Gal-3 properties in the context of schizophrenia onset, clinical symptoms
presentation, frequent somatic comorbid states, and future options for Gal-3 centered treatment in
schizophrenia.
