Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Every cell in your body uses more than 20 amino acids at some point. The two-carbon bonds in amino acids are used to build both muscles and cell membranes. The positive and negative chemicals in the structure of amino acids create a charge that is necessary for cells to function properly.
Basis
Both your genes and environment play a role in the chemical imbalance of amino acids in your brain when you develop schizophrenia, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A single cause of the condition usually cannot be determined, but typically runs in families. Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition that causes you to lose the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Jumbled thoughts, sounds and images come and go with varying degrees of intensity.
Markers
In addition to a family history of the disease, patients with schizophrenia often have abnormal amounts of amino acids, according to the University of Toronto. Evidence shows that many people with the condition have high levels of glutamate and serum homocysteine. Proper levels of amino acids are important to the healthy firing of nerves in the brain. The synthesis of amino acids in the central nervous system is vital to neural development and functioning.
Imbalance
The imbalance of various amino acids may explain the psychosis. For example, tyrosine is needed as a precursor to the development of epinephrine and dopamine, chemicals vital for mood stabilization. Low levels of tryptophan can lead to low serotonin levels, required to maintain mental balance. Patients taking anti-psychotic drugs such as clozapine have increased levels of the amino acid tryptophan. The medication also helps balance other amino acid levels such as taurine, ornithine and citrulline.
Effects
According to the Genome Web, the amino acid imbalance in schizophrenic patients also affects other metabolic functions. Obesity is common among people with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes is two to 10 times higher among those with the disease than the general population. While being obese or diabetic is not a precursor for schizophrenia, the similarities in metabolic functions are notable. The physical and mental disorders have similar traits linked to the effects of abnormal amino acid functioning.
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