Biomedical subjects

Liesl B Jones

Publications and source records attributed to Liesl B Jones.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Evidence for a decrease in basilar dendrites of pyramidal cells in schizophrenic medial prefrontal cortex.

A variety of lines of converging evidence implicates the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in schizophrenia. Previous neuroanatomical studies have shown schizophrenia-associated changes in neuron density, soma size and spine number. We recently demonstrated a schizophrenia-associated decrease in microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunostaining in laminae III and V of medial prefrontal area 32 and interpreted that finding as suggestive of a loss of dendritic material. We now present data from medial prefrontal area 32 of 11 schizophrenics and 11 comparison subjects. In Golgi-stained material, we describe a significant decrease in the number of both primary (29%) and secondary (46%) basilar dendrites on pyramidal neurons in layer V. Similarly, in layer III there was also a decrease in both primary (17%) and secondary (15%) basilar dendrites. These findings suggest a decrease in synaptic surface area which could lead to aberrant information processing.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

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.

Adult↗