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Glial cell dysfunction in schizophrenia indicated by increased S100B in the CSF

Molecular Psychiatry volume 9, pages 897–899 (2004)Cite this article

SIR—Findings from neuropathological and imaging studies reveal a reduction of neuropil in schizophrenia that might even have a progressive component. Neuronal cell sizes as well as dendrite and synapse numbers are decreased while neuronal counts remain unchanged.1, 2 Until recently, astrocytes were merely regarded as metabolic supporters of neurons. Advanced research, however, has revealed evidence that a dysfunction of astrocytes can be directly responsible for neuronal malfunction and might therefore play a key role in the development of schizophrenia. Astrocytes influence dendrites and synapses mainly via glutamate-induced Ca2+ modulation (for a review, see Araque et al3).

Regarding schizophrenia, there is no increased astrogliosis within the cortex. However, recent studies point towards an astroglial loss in some areas of the brain. Signs of reactive and dystrophic changes with decreased intact mitochondria in the astrocytes have been reported, and astroglial function after injury has been shown to be impaired in schizophrenic brains. These findings suggest that there might be glia pathology in schizophrenia.

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References

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Innovative Medical Research Program of the University of Muenster (RO 2 1 99 19).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Germany

    M Rothermundt, G Ponath, S Abel, M Diedrich, G Hetzel, M Peters, A Siegmund, A Pedersen, T Suslow, P Ohrmann & V Arolt

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Saarland, Germany

    P Falkai

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Muenster, Germany

    H Bürkle

  4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany

    W Maier

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Bonn, Germany

    J Schramm

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  1. M Rothermundt
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  2. P Falkai
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  3. G Ponath
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  4. S Abel
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  13. T Suslow
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  14. P Ohrmann
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  15. V Arolt
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Correspondence to M Rothermundt.

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Rothermundt, M., Falkai, P., Ponath, G. et al. Glial cell dysfunction in schizophrenia indicated by increased S100B in the CSF. Mol Psychiatry 9, 897–899 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001548

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