1Acta Neuropathol. 2001 Oct 102: 373-9
PMID11603813
TitleAnterior cingulate cortex pathology in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
AbstractTo explore possible morphological abnormalities in the dorsal and subgenual parts of anterior cingulate cortex in mood disorders and schizophrenia, we performed a quantitative postmortem study of 44 schizophrenic patients, 21 patients with sporadic bipolar disorder, 20 patients with sporadic major depression, and 55 age- and sex-matched control cases. All individuals were drug naïve or had received psychotropic medication for less than 6 months, and had no history of substance abuse. Neuron densities and size were estimated on cresyl violet-stained sections using a stereological counting approach. The distribution and density of microtubule-associated (MAP2, MAP1B) and tau proteins were assessed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative immunodot assay. Mean total and laminar cortical thicknesses as well as mean pyramidal neuron size were significantly decreased in the dorsal and subgenual parts of areas 24 (24sg) in schizophrenic cases. Patients with bipolar disorder showed a substantial decrease in laminar thickness and neuron densities in layers III, V, and VI of the subgenual part of area 24, whereas patients with major depression were comparable to controls. Immunodot assay showed a significant decrease of both MAP2 and MAP1B proteins in bipolar patients but not in patients with schizophrenia and major depression. The neuroanatomical and functional significance of these findings are discussed in the light of current hypotheses regarding the role of areas 24 and 24sg in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics
2Acta Neuropathol. 2001 Oct 102: 373-9
PMID11603813
TitleAnterior cingulate cortex pathology in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
AbstractTo explore possible morphological abnormalities in the dorsal and subgenual parts of anterior cingulate cortex in mood disorders and schizophrenia, we performed a quantitative postmortem study of 44 schizophrenic patients, 21 patients with sporadic bipolar disorder, 20 patients with sporadic major depression, and 55 age- and sex-matched control cases. All individuals were drug naïve or had received psychotropic medication for less than 6 months, and had no history of substance abuse. Neuron densities and size were estimated on cresyl violet-stained sections using a stereological counting approach. The distribution and density of microtubule-associated (MAP2, MAP1B) and tau proteins were assessed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative immunodot assay. Mean total and laminar cortical thicknesses as well as mean pyramidal neuron size were significantly decreased in the dorsal and subgenual parts of areas 24 (24sg) in schizophrenic cases. Patients with bipolar disorder showed a substantial decrease in laminar thickness and neuron densities in layers III, V, and VI of the subgenual part of area 24, whereas patients with major depression were comparable to controls. Immunodot assay showed a significant decrease of both MAP2 and MAP1B proteins in bipolar patients but not in patients with schizophrenia and major depression. The neuroanatomical and functional significance of these findings are discussed in the light of current hypotheses regarding the role of areas 24 and 24sg in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics
3Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord 2004 Dec 3: 515-33
PMID15581421
TitleThe neuronal cytoskeleton as a potential therapeutical target in neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia.
AbstractThe cytoskeleton plays a key role in maintaining the highly asymmetrical shape and structural polarity of neurons that are essential for neuronal physiology. Cytoskeletal reorganization plays a key role in neuritogenesis. In neurodegenerative diseases, the cytoskeleton is abnormally assembled and impairment of neurotransmission occurs. In Alzheimer's disease, abundant amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles constitute the two major neuropathologic alterations present in the brain. Neurofibrillary tangles are formed of paired helical filaments consisting nearly entirely of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Under normal conditions tau binds to microtubules, stabilizing neuron structure and integrity. Hyperphosphorylation of tau is assumed to be the cause of formation of paired helical filaments. Another example of cytoskeletal abnormalities present in neurodegenerative diseases are the Lewy bodies considered as cytopathologic markers of Parkinson's disease. Lewy bodies are constituted of tubulin, MAP1, and MAP2. Neuronal shape, loss of dendrites and spines, as well as irregular distribution of neuronal elongations occur in specific brain areas of schizophrenic patients. Increase in non-phosphorylated MAP2 and MAP1B at hippocampus has been suggested as responsible for somatodendritic and cytoarchitectural abnormalities found in schizophrenia. In addition, neurofibrillary tangles are more frequent among schizophrenic patients who received pharmacologic antipsychotic treatment. Cumulative evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric illnesses are associated with cytoskeletal alterations in neurons that, in turn, loose synaptic connectivity and the ability to transmit incoming axonal information to the somatodendritic domain. We will review evidence supporting that the neuronal cytoskeleton is disrupted in neurodegenerative and some psychiatric diseases, and therefore could be a target for drug therapy. In addition, current data indicating that melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, promotes neuritogenesis through cytoskeletal rearrangements and in addition to the potential therapeutic use of melatonin in neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics
4Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord 2004 Dec 3: 515-33
PMID15581421
TitleThe neuronal cytoskeleton as a potential therapeutical target in neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia.
AbstractThe cytoskeleton plays a key role in maintaining the highly asymmetrical shape and structural polarity of neurons that are essential for neuronal physiology. Cytoskeletal reorganization plays a key role in neuritogenesis. In neurodegenerative diseases, the cytoskeleton is abnormally assembled and impairment of neurotransmission occurs. In Alzheimer's disease, abundant amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles constitute the two major neuropathologic alterations present in the brain. Neurofibrillary tangles are formed of paired helical filaments consisting nearly entirely of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Under normal conditions tau binds to microtubules, stabilizing neuron structure and integrity. Hyperphosphorylation of tau is assumed to be the cause of formation of paired helical filaments. Another example of cytoskeletal abnormalities present in neurodegenerative diseases are the Lewy bodies considered as cytopathologic markers of Parkinson's disease. Lewy bodies are constituted of tubulin, MAP1, and MAP2. Neuronal shape, loss of dendrites and spines, as well as irregular distribution of neuronal elongations occur in specific brain areas of schizophrenic patients. Increase in non-phosphorylated MAP2 and MAP1B at hippocampus has been suggested as responsible for somatodendritic and cytoarchitectural abnormalities found in schizophrenia. In addition, neurofibrillary tangles are more frequent among schizophrenic patients who received pharmacologic antipsychotic treatment. Cumulative evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric illnesses are associated with cytoskeletal alterations in neurons that, in turn, loose synaptic connectivity and the ability to transmit incoming axonal information to the somatodendritic domain. We will review evidence supporting that the neuronal cytoskeleton is disrupted in neurodegenerative and some psychiatric diseases, and therefore could be a target for drug therapy. In addition, current data indicating that melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, promotes neuritogenesis through cytoskeletal rearrangements and in addition to the potential therapeutic use of melatonin in neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics
5Mol. Neurobiol. 2016 Mar -1: -1
PMID26944284
TitleA Tale of the Good and Bad: Remodeling of the Microtubule Network in the Brain by Cdk5.
AbstractCdk5, a cyclin-dependent kinase family member, is a global orchestrator of neuronal cytoskeletal dynamics. During embryogenesis, Cdk5 is indispensable for brain development. In adults, it is essential for numerous neuronal processes, including higher cognitive functions such as learning and memory formation, drug addiction, pain signaling, and long-term behavior changes through long-term potentiation and long-term depression, all of which rely on rapid alterations in the cytoskeleton. Cdk5 activity becomes deregulated in various brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and ischemic stroke; these all result in profound remodeling of the neuronal cytoskeleton. This Commentary specifically focuses on the pleiotropic contribution of Cdk5 in regulating neuronal microtubule remodeling. Because the vast majority of the physiological substrates of Cdk5 are associated with the neuronal cytoskeleton, our emphasis is on the Cdk5 substrates, such as CRMP2, stathmin, drebrin, dixdc1, axin, MAP2, MAP1B, doublecortin, kinesin-5, and tau, that have allowed to unravel the molecular mechanisms through which Cdk5 exerts its divergent roles in regulating neuronal microtubule dynamics, both in healthy and disease states.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics