Researchers tested a hypothesis that an inflammation in a chemical pathway would cause schizophrenia. Researchers targets tryptophan, which is a precursor for the development of kynurenic acid. Therefore, it blocks a key glutamate receptor in the brain. What was found was that the astrocytes were providing nutrients to neurons with elevated of kynurenic acid. The elevated levels of kynurenic acid causes inflammation which is a major part of schizophrenic symptoms.
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