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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
Published on: June 4, 2020
Do Not Adjust Your Mind: The Fault Is in Your Glia
Robin J M Franklin1, Edward T Bullmore2
1Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Glial cells derived from schizophrenia patients, when transplanted into mice, caused disease-like brain abnormalities and behaviors. This suggests glial cells may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Glia are crucial support cells in the brain.
- Their specific role in schizophrenia pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Previous studies suggest glial involvement but lack direct evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential primary role of glial cells in schizophrenia.
- To determine if patient-derived glial progenitors can induce schizophrenia-like phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Transplantation of human glial progenitor cells from schizophrenia patients into mouse brains.
- Observation and analysis of brain development and behavior in recipient mice.
Main Results:
- Transplanted cells led to the development of brain abnormalities in mice.
- Recipient mice exhibited behaviors characteristic of schizophrenia.
- This indicates a functional impact of patient-derived glia.
Conclusions:
- Glial cells may play a primary, causative role in schizophrenia.
- Patient-derived glia can confer disease-specific phenotypes.
- This provides novel insights into schizophrenia pathogenesis.
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