[Significance of synaptic connectivity reduction for pathogenesis, clinical picture and course of schizophrenia]

Synaptic connectivity disorders are significant in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Myelinization and abnormal function of oligodendroglia are the most important factors damaging synaptic connectivity. The main phase of the pathogenetic process leading to schizophrenia is the loss of synaptic connectivity below critical level, dependent on primary synaptic density (caused by genetic and perinatal factors), and on elimInation of synaptic connection during late adolescence and early adulthood. Various clinical pictures and courses of schizophrenia are related to various levels of synaptic density reduction. New imaging techniques (MRI, MTI, DTI) found many abnormalities in white matter--in myelin and oligodendroglia in schizophrenics. Actually, we don't know, whether these abnormalities are primary (caused by genetic factors) or secondary (caused by other factors, fox example by glutamatergic excitotoxicity of oligodendroglia).