Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with a structure of lipid bilayer-membrane. In the central nervous system (CNS), exosomes can be secreted from both neurons and glial cells. Exosomes released into the extracellular matrix can freely cross the blood-brain barrier and function as crucial carriers of cellular communication and substance exchange in the CNS. Exosomes play a key role in the pathological process of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, and they have the potential to be used as a targeted carrier of antipsychotic medications. Exosomes are likely to become a new tool in the future to aid in the early prevention, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment for people with mental disorders.
外泌体是一类具有脂质双层膜结构的细胞外囊泡。在中枢神经系统中，神经元和神经胶质细胞均可分泌外泌体。释放到细胞外基质的外泌体能够自由地穿过血脑屏障，是中枢神经系统细胞通信和物质交换的重要载体，在精神分裂症、抑郁障碍以及双相情感障碍等精神障碍的病理过程中发挥重要作用，并具有成为抗精神病药物的靶向载体的潜力。未来外泌体有望成为协助精神障碍患者早期预防、精准诊断与有效治疗的一种新型工具。.
Keywords: central nervous system; exosomes; extracellular vesicle; mental disorders.