The Open Neuroendocrinology Journal

2010, 3 : 59-67
Published online 2010 August 11. DOI: 10.2174/1876528901003010059
Publisher ID: TONEUROEJ-3-59

The Hypothalamus in Schizophrenia Research: No Longer a Wallflower Existence

Hans-Gert Bernstein , Gerburg Keilhoff , Johann Steiner , Henrik Dobrowolny and Bernhard Bogerts
Department of Psychiatry, Otto v. Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany

ABSTRACT

The hypothalamus is commonly believed to play only a subordinated role in schizophrenia. The present review attempts at condensing findings of the last two decades showing that hypothalamus is involved in many pathways found disturbed in schizophrenia (hypothalamus-pituitary- axis, hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis, hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal axis, metabolic syndrome, sleep-wakefulness cycle, and neuroimmune dysfunction). On the basis of this knowledge it is suggested to reconsider the place of the hypothalamus in the puzzle of schizophrenia.

Keywords:

Hypothalamus, schizophrenia, hippocampus, depression, stress, neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology.