https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-02893-6
The article from Nature discusses a new potential treatment strategy for schizophrenia by targeting acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activity. Researchers found that abnormal sphingolipid metabolism might play a role in schizophrenia. They identified associations between certain genes (SMPD1 and SMPD3) and schizophrenia. In a rat model, increased ASM activity in the prefrontal cortex was linked to psychosis-like behavior.
Treatment with the ASM inhibitor KARI201 reversed these behaviors without the cognitive impairments seen with traditional antipsychotic drugs like haloperidol. This suggests a new approach to treating schizophrenia with potentially fewer side effects1.