Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2-3
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-11-25
pubmed:abstractText
The insular cortex is a paralimbic area of the brain thought to have important roles in sensory integration, auditory hallucinations and language. Both structural and functional MRI studies have revealed that this brain area is abnormal in both size and activity in schizophrenia. Further investigation of this region at the cellular level in schizophrenia has not been carried out. In the current study, we conducted a stereological examination of neuronal and glial size and density in layers 2 and 3 of the dorso-caudal region of the insular cortex in 15 schizophrenic, 15 bipolar, 15 unipolar and 15 control patients. These cortical layers are candidate layers based on previous cytoarchitectual investigations. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA, correcting for pH, post-mortem interval and age) showed decreased neuronal volume in layer 2 in schizophrenia (p=0.0008, 16.2% mean reduction). No other significant changes were observed. This study thus provides the first evidence of cytoarchitectural abnormality of the insular cortex in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia but not mood disorders. Further work is needed to investigate the molecular basis for this neuronal abnormality in schizophrenia in order to elucidate its role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0920-9964
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
106
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
164-71
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-9-2
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Evidence for reduced neuronal somal size within the insular cortex in schizophrenia, but not in affective disorders.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. k.pennington@leeds.ac.uk
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't