Fan F, Wang B, Chen ZL, Li WF, Han F. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1: Bridge to understanding mental disorders. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 118781 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118781]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Fei Han, Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China. hf4383@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Psychiatry
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review-article
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Fan F, Wang B, Chen ZL, Li WF, Han F. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1: Bridge to understanding mental disorders. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 118781 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.118781]
World J Psychiatry. Aug 19, 2026; 16(8): 118781 Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.118781
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1: Bridge to understanding mental disorders
Fei Fan, Bo Wang, Zi-Lin Chen, Wei-Feng Li, Fei Han
Fei Fan, Bo Wang, Zi-Lin Chen, Wei-Feng Li, Fei Han, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Author contributions: Fan F and Wang B performed experimental operations; Fan F, Chen ZL and Han F led analysis and writing of the manuscript; Li WF and Han F supervised the research; and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools (specifically Paperpal) were used solely for linguistic refinement and formatting assistance. No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions. All AI-generated outputs were critically reviewed and revised by the authors. The entire content of the answering-reviewers was written by myself based on my understanding of the reviewers’ comments and our original research. No portion was AI-generated.
Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes, No. ZZ17-XRZ-043.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Fei Han, Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China. hf4383@126.com
Received: January 12, 2026 Revised: March 13, 2026 Accepted: May 11, 2026 Published online: August 19, 2026 Processing time: 189 Days and 21.4 Hours
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is emerging as a central molecular player in the pathophysiology of major mental disorders. This review synthesizes evidence outlining its multifaceted roles, which extend from fundamental neurodevelopmental processes and the regulation of synaptic plasticity to novel signaling paradigms such as the formation of heteroreceptor complexes with specific G protein-coupled receptors and mediating neuron-glia communication. We detail how dysregulation of FGFR1 signaling is implicated in disorders including schizophrenia and depression. The accumulated preclinical and clinical findings position FGFR1 not only as a critical factor in disease mechanisms but also as a potential and pharmacologically tractable target for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Core Tip: This review establishes fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) as a central signaling integrator in mental disorders, moving beyond its traditional developmental roles. We highlight novel mechanisms including dynamic heteroreceptor complex formation with neurotransmitter receptors and essential neuron-glia communication, through which FGFR1 regulates synaptic and circuit plasticity. These insights directly link FGFR1 pathway dysregulation to the pathophysiology of depression and schizophrenia, positioning it as a compelling and druggable target for next-generation therapeutics.
