title: [Changes in the brain with schizophrenia: postmortem findings].
abstract: In this study morphological knowledge about schizophrenia including different levels from macroscopic to molecular changes is summarized. We have had data on the schizophrenic brain for more than 100 years. Cortical and subcortical regional grey matter volume and density decreases, as well white matter lesions are well-known phenomena. They induce disconnectivity which is a significant element in the pathology of schizophrenia. The most important detectable macroscopic changes are volume reductions in the temporal lobe, prefrontal cortex, superior temporalis gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus and planum temporale. The later is also important in terms of the hemispheric asymmetry reduction, which is considered to be a relevant feature of the disease. Recently several macroscopic changes, mainly neuropil alterations, axonal and dendritic changes, and extensive functional and structural alterations of the synapses have been revealed. Although numerous mechanisms (aberrated migration, altered pruning and neuroplasticity) have already been identified in the background, a full picture has not yet emerged. Remarkable results have been collected concerning the energy metabolism in the brain, lipid metabolism, and proteomic results. At present there are controversial data concerning the association between the development of the above-mentioned alterations and antipsychotic medication.
authors.affiliation: DE OEC Pszichiátriai Tanszék, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balla
authors.forename: Ede
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frecska
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology