In our latest group meeting, the SUCEDE team gathered to analyze a study recently published in the prestigious journal Nature (within its specialized schizophrenia section). On this occasion, our colleague R. Beño led the session, presenting a paper that explores the complex relationship between neurotransmitter levels and electrophysiological markers within the psychosis spectrum.
GABA Levels and the P300 Potential:
The analyzed article centers on two fundamental pieces of the schizophrenia puzzle:
- The P300 potential (specifically the P3b wave): A marker reflecting attention and memory processes. It is well established that patients with schizophrenia often show reduced amplitude in this wave, which translates into greater cognitive difficulties.
- The GABA/Glutamate balance: The equilibrium between neuronal inhibition and excitation in key areas such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
What Do the Results Tell Us?:
One of the most interesting points of the debate was how the study divides patients into clusters based on the severity of their symptoms (using the PANSS scale). The main findings suggest a fascinating dynamic:
- Compensatory Mechanism: In patients with less severe symptoms, an increase in GABA levels was observed in the prefrontal cortex. Far from being a deficit, this increase seems to act as a “compensatory mechanism” that helps stabilize neuronal balance and allows the P300 amplitude to remain more preserved.
- Compensation Deficit: Conversely, in patients with greater symptomatic severity, this GABAergic compensation appears insufficient, resulting in a much more reduced P300 and poorer cognitive performance.
From Theory to Our Practice at UVa:
Following the presentation, the group held a very productive discussion on how these findings align with the data we are currently collecting at the University of Valladolid (UVa).
We debated the possibility of implementing magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) protocols to directly measure these neurotransmitter levels in our participants. Although it is a technical challenge that requires time and specialized personnel, the relevance of this data for understanding the heterogeneity of psychosis is undeniable.
Furthermore, we questioned whether the relationship between the P300 and the symptomatology observed in our own sample follows this same pattern based on clinical severity.
Conclusion:
These sessions allow us to stay at the forefront of international research and reflect on how to improve our own lines of work. As a conclusion to the day: understanding not only what fails, but also how the brain attempts to compensate for those failures, is fundamental for developing better therapeutic strategies in the future.
You can watch the full session and the subsequent debate on our YouTube channel