Phencyclidine (PCP) is a psychotomimetic drug associated with acute and delayed mental effects in normal humans and psychosis exacerbation in already psychotic schizophrenic individuals. We have previously described a dose-sensitive, delayed action of PCP on regional cerebral metabolism in the rat which occurs over 48 hours and a late (24 hour) change in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate...
Glutamate-containing neuronal terminals are ubiquitous in the central nervous system and their functional importance in mental activity is considerable. Therefore, the involvement of this neurotransmitter in the pathology of schizophrenia is being studied. Biochemical evidence has suggested that glutamatergic transmission may be regionally reduced in schizophrenia, although this evidence has...