Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
05:14
Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
4.7K
Substantia nigra ultrastructural pathology in schizophrenia
Courtney K Walker1, Joy K Roche1, Vidushi Sinha1
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
Schizophrenia Research
|December 25, 2017
Summary
Schizophrenia is linked to myelin sheath abnormalities in the substantia nigra, a key brain region. This study reveals significant ultrastructural differences in schizophrenia patients, particularly those resistant to treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Schizophrenia affects 1% of the global population, with unknown causes and variable treatment efficacy.
- Dopamine pathways are implicated, but the substantia nigra (SN) remains understudied in schizophrenia.
- Existing research on schizophrenia pathology has not extensively focused on the SN's ultrastructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ultrastructural integrity of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and myelinated axons in the substantia nigra (SN) of schizophrenia patients.
- To compare SN ultrastructure between normal controls (NCs) and schizophrenia (SZ) subjects, including treatment-resistant (TR) and treatment-responsive (RESP) groups.
- To identify potential myelin and cytoskeletal abnormalities in the SN associated with schizophrenia and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was employed to analyze postmortem SN tissue from NCs (n=9) and SZ subjects (n=14).
- Qualitative and quantitative markers assessed ultrastructural integrity of cellular components.
- Myelin thickness was measured using the G-ratio, and axonal integrity was evaluated for inclusions, cytoplasmic presence, and protrusions.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients exhibited a higher percentage of axons with myelin sheath inclusions compared to NCs.
- Treatment-resistant (TR) schizophrenia subjects showed a greater percentage of axons lacking cytoplasm and containing cellular debris.
- A significantly higher G-ratio in TR subjects indicated reduced myelin thickness in the SN, suggesting myelin pathology.
Conclusions:
- The substantia nigra shows significant myelin pathology in schizophrenia, consistent with findings in other brain regions.
- Cytoskeletal abnormalities may also be present in the SN of schizophrenia patients, potentially linked to myelin pathology.
- These findings highlight the importance of the SN in schizophrenia and suggest novel therapeutic targets related to myelin integrity.
More Related Videos
06:09Semi-Quantitative Determination of Dopaminergic Neuron Density in the Substantia Nigra of Rodent Models using Automated Image Analysis
Published on: February 2, 2021
5.1K
08:19Stereological Estimation of Dopaminergic Neuron Number in the Mouse Substantia Nigra Using the Optical Fractionator and Standard Microscopy Equipment
Published on: September 1, 2017
19.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:17Schizophrenia
1.1K
Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those...
1.1K
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
678
Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
678
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
655
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
655
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
653
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
653
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
721
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...
721
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
2.1K
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
2.1K