The role of HDAC2 in olanzapine-induced cortical neuronal lesions

Antipsychotic drugs are primary medication for patients suffering schizophrenia. Although these drugs are effective for the treatment of positive and negative symptoms, the chronic administration of these drugs is associated with cognitive deficits, decreased volume of grey matter, and reduced cortical thickness in schizophrenic patients. Sodium butyrate, one of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) inhibitors, has been shown to promote synaptogenesis in neurons and reinstate cognitive function in animal models of neurodegeneration diseases. This study aimed to examine the side effect and mechanism of olanzapine, one of the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs, on synaptogenesis in neurons, and the possible neuroprotective effect of sodium butyrate.