Oxidative stress and dysregulated Nrf2 activation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia

Several processes including oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The dysregulated activation of a transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) which regulates the expression and coordinated induction of a battery of cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory genes in response to oxidative stress and inflammation, might play a critical role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved