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Synaptic changes in the striatum of schizophrenic cases: a controlled postmortem ultrastructural study
1Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21228, USA.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|February 5, 1998
Summary
Schizophrenia is linked to synaptic abnormalities in the striatum, particularly the caudate nucleus. These ultrastructural changes in brain synapses may explain cognitive and emotional aspects of schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with striatal abnormalities.
- Ultrastructural synaptic changes in schizophrenia remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ultrastructural synaptic differences in the striatum of individuals with schizophrenia compared to controls.
- To explore potential links between synaptic alterations and schizophrenia pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy specimens of striatal tissue from schizophrenia patients and control groups.
- Microscopic analysis of synaptic profiles (symmetric, asymmetric, perforated, axodendritic, axospinous).
Main Results:
- Reduced symmetric and perforated synaptic profiles in schizophrenia striatum.
- Decreased axodendritic (asymmetric) synapses in the caudate of a subset of schizophrenia cases (nondyskinetic and off drugs).
- Altered synaptic profiles predominantly in the caudate, not the putamen, suggesting non-drug-related changes.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia involves diverse synaptic alterations in the striatum, affecting multiple neuronal circuits.
- Caudate nucleus synaptic changes may contribute to cognitive and emotional deficits in schizophrenia.
- Findings suggest neuroanatomical underpinnings of schizophrenia psychopathology.