Sherry Leonard

TL;DR: Linkage data provide unique new evidence that the alpha 7-nicotinic receptor gene may be responsible for the inheritance of a pathophysiological aspect of the illness.

TL;DR: A new, experimentally based compilation of species-specific dose selection for studies on the in vivo effects of nicotine, addressing issues related to genetic background, age, acute vs chronic exposure, route of administration, and behavioral responses is provided.

TL;DR: The receptor's possible role in cell growth and differentiation should be considered in connection with developmental deficits and other cellular abnormalities in schizophrenia, and heavy smoking in many schizophrenia patients is consistent with the high concentration of nicotine necessary to activate the receptor and with the receptor's extremely rapid desensitization.

TL;DR: It is suggested that schizophrenic patients have fewer nicotinic receptors in the hippocampus, a condition which may lead to failure of cholinergic activation of inhibitory interneurons, manifest clinically as decreased gating of response to sensory stimulation.

TL;DR: An alpha7 nicotinic agonist appears to have positive effects on neurocognition in persons with schizophrenia, and significant neurocognitive improvement was found on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status total scale score.