Alterations in MAP2 immunocytochemistry in areas 9 and 32 of schizophrenic prefrontal cortex.
A variety of lines of converging evidence implicate the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in schizophrenia. Studies employing Nissl stains have suggested that PFC dendrites may be atrophic in schizophrenia; however, Nissl stains do not reveal dendrites. We employed MAP2 immunocytochemistry, which stains dendrites to examine cortical layers III and V in two areas of the PFC (areas 9 and 32). Occipital cortex (area 17) was examined as a control region. Tissues from seven schizophrenics and seven non-psychiatric controls were examined. Immunostaining was quantitated by area fraction analysis. MAP2 area fraction was decreased in both layers in both regions of PFC, but not in occipital cortex. Area 9 exhibited a 42% reduction in layer V and a 36% reduction in layer III. Area 32 exhibited a 31% reduction in layer V and a 36% reduction in layer III. Neither region exhibited a significant change in the density of pyramidal cells. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a schizophrenia-associated decrease in dendritic material in the PFC.
Lehman College, Department Biological Sciences, 250 Bedford Park Blvd., NY 10468, Bronx, USA. liesl@alpha.lehman.cuny.edu
Liesl B
LB
Jones
Nadine
N
Johnson
William
W
Byne
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins