THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCHIZOPHRENIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE - AN ATTEMPT TO A HOLISTIC VIEW OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

Abstract

Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease are serious neurological disorders that, despite their different clinical pictures, show significant connections at the neuroanatomical, genetic, and functional levels. Research suggests that patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimaging analyses indicate similarities in white matter damage, reduction in the volume of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, suggesting common neurodegenerative mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. Genetic studies show a partial overlap in the polygenic risk of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, especially in the genes related to neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, and synaptic function. Furthermore, the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease may have different mechanisms than in schizophrenia, which significantly affects the effectiveness of therapy. Second-generation drugs, such as risperidone or aripiprazole, exhibit varying effectiveness depending on the neuropathological basis of psychosis, which underscores the need for individualized therapy and the search for new treatment strategies. New research directions focus on identifying neurodegenerative biomarkers and innovative therapeutic methods. There is particular hope for anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, which can modulate the inflammatory response and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the development of liquid biomarkers and advanced neuroimaging studies may enable earlier detection of pathological changes, which will allow for more effective therapeutic intervention.