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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
[Redox and microglia in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia]
Takahiro A Kato1, Fuminori Hyodo, Mayumi Yamato
1Innovation Center for Medical Redoz Navigation, Kyushu University; 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, 2. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan..
Abstract:
Altered antioxidant status has been implicated in schizophrenia. Microglia are major sources of free radicals such as superoxide in the brain, and play crucial roles in various brain diseases. Recent postmortem and imaging studies have indicated microglial activation in the brain of schizophrenia patients. Animal models that express some phenotypes of schizophrenia have revealed the underlying microglial pathology. In addition, minocycline, an antibiotic and the best known inhibitor of microglial activation, has therapeutic efficacy in schizophrenia. We have recently revealed that various antipsychotics directly affect microglia via proinflammatory reactions such as oxidative stress, by in vitro studies using rodent microglial cells. Based on these findings, we have suggested that microglia are crucial players in the brain in schizophrenia, and modulating microglia may be a novel therapeutic target. In this review paper, we introduce our hypothesis based on the above evidence. The technique of in vivo molecular redox imaging is expected to be a powerful tool to clarify this hypothesis.
Insights
Schizophrenia involves altered brain antioxidant status, with microglia playing a key role. Targeting microglia may offer new therapeutic strategies for this neurological disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Schizophrenia is linked to oxidative stress and altered antioxidant status in the brain.
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are implicated due to their role as major superoxide radical sources.
- Evidence suggests microglial activation and pathology in schizophrenia patients and animal models.
Purpose:
- To review the evidence implicating microglia in schizophrenia.
- To propose a hypothesis that microglia are critical players in schizophrenia.
- To highlight microglia as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia.
Summary:
- Altered antioxidant status is observed in schizophrenia.
- Microglia activation and pathology are evident in schizophrenia.
- Antipsychotics can directly impact microglia, inducing proinflammatory reactions and oxidative stress.
- Minocycline, a microglial inhibitor, shows therapeutic effects in schizophrenia.
- Modulating microglia represents a novel therapeutic avenue for schizophrenia.
Impact:
- This review proposes a novel hypothesis linking microglia to schizophrenia.
- It suggests that targeting microglia could lead to new schizophrenia treatments.
- In vivo molecular redox imaging is proposed as a tool to validate this hypothesis.
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