Correlation Between High Potassium Levels & Schizophrenia

The exact causes of schizophrenia remain unknown, but some scientific research indicates that a contributing factor to the condition could be nerve cells with abnormally high potassium levels. People with particular forms of proteins that control how much potassium enters and leaves neurons experience erratic brain activity similar to that in people with schizophrenia. More scientific evidence is required, however, before a possible treatment method can be developed from this information.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by psychotic symptoms that may include hallucinations, an inability to understand and respond to what is happening in reality, mental confusion, emotional volatility, depression and bouts of mania. Scientists think the condition is most likely caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, inherited genetic problems or abnormalities in parts of the brain that control personality. Schizophrenia is treated in two ways: psychosocial therapy or anti-psychotic medications such as clozapine, aripriprazole, haloperidol or chlorpromazine.

Schizophrenia and Potassium

A National Institute of Mental Health study conducted in 2009 determined that people who had Isoform 3.1, a variation of a neuronal potassium channel known as KCNH2, experienced similar hyperactive brain activity and difficulty with memory to people with schizophrenia. The researchers went on to find that people with schizophrenia had 2.5 times more of these overactive Isoform 3.1 potassium channels in the memory portion of their brain, the hippocampus, than people without the disease.

Function

Scientists think the link between potassium and schizophrenia lies in the role of potassium in neuronal function. The presence of potassium in nerve cells allows the cells to generate electrical impulses that cause the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters communicate the signal to other nerve cells that, in turn, use potassium to generate their electrical signal. Potassium channels in the membrane of the cells regulate how much potassium comes in and out. In people with the Isoform 3.1 potassium channels, too much potassium enters, causing the neurons to fire erratically.

Expert Insight

Researchers are hopeful that the discovery of the Isoform 3.1 potassium channel may lead to a way to treat schizophrenia by inhibiting the channel's activity. The anti-psychotic medications currently used to treat schizophrenia often cause serious side effects, including irreversible heart damage, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and neurological disorders. A medication that focuses on the Isoform 3.1 channels might lack these side effects and be a safer choice for treatment.