Fig. 2. Potential points of action of various molecules capable of interrupting the diverse vicious circles.

a Treatments with compounds such as NAC, sulforaphane or omega-3 type polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS)—which possess both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties with mild side-effect profiles [202, 218–221] are known to exert their effects through the redox system thus representing good candidates for preventive interventions targeting individuals at high-risk for schizophrenia. Sulforaphane works through the NRF2 system to trigger the anti-oxidant defence system [222]. b MitoQ and other mitochondria-targeted antioxidants could support compromised energy metabolism and mitochondria function [116]. c For NMDAR hypofunction, several strategies using compounds (e.g., D-serine, sarcosine, glycine transporter inhibitor and benzoate) that modulate NMDAR activity have been tried in schizophrenia patients with mixed success [217, 223–229]. d In terms of neuro-inflammation, estrogens, minocycline and NAC showed efficacy, with greater beneficial results on symptom severity in first-episode psychosis patients or during early-phase of schizophrenia [216].