Schizophrenia and Liver Dysfunction Caused by Portacaval Shunting

The present review evaluates the hypothesis that a dysfunction of the liver, caused by portacaval bypass of a normal liver, is a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In support of this hypothesis was observed a more than coincidental correlation of deviant biological findings in schizophrenia and portacaval shunting. Deviations were observed in the expression of neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors, metabolic parameters, immune response and stress parameters as well as signs of neurotoxicity with cerebral atrophy. Doppler sonographic analysis of the portal venous system should enable a noninvasive test of the hypothesis.