Abstract
In 15 individuals without neurological findings (9 men, 6 women) and 12 schizophrenia (SCH) patients (5 men, 7 women) Brodmann's areas 10 and 44 have been studied in serial Nissl stained sections. Mean age of the control group is 57±3 years, and 61±4 years in SCH group. All observations are similar with respect to cause of death and postmortem interval (from 3 to 10 hours). The method of automatic morphometry of cortical structure has been developed for texture analysis system TAS (Leitz, Germany). The algorithms of mathematical morphology have been implemented for image processing. Automation provided the possibility to measure the neuronal parameters in total specimen area from 60 to 120 mm2 in each case. Tissue samples have been collected and measured in former All Union Center of Mental Health, Moscow, Russia, in 1980-1989. The profiles characterizing distribution patterns of cellular area fraction (VA), numeric density (NA), and mean cells profile area (SA) from the pia to the white matter have been registered for every individual. Averaged profiles of stereological parameters characterizing SCH and control groups have been analyzed. Statistically significant 20% increase of NA and 15% decrease of SA have been found. The regions of the cortical traverse primary involved are the zone of layers IIIC-V in area 10 and II-IIIA in area 44. No significant correlation of age or gender with any parameter of structure has been found. The differences observed are consistent with data recently reported in cortical areas 9 and 46 (L.D. Selemon, G. Rajkowska, P.S. Goldman-Rakic, 1994) for similar group of patients. They could indicate widespread decrease of the volume of neuropile in frontal lobe of SCH patients and probable differential involvement of some layers in different areas.
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Istomin, V., Hof, P. Quantitative Evaluation of the Cytoarchitecture of Areas 10 and 44 in Schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacol 11, 273 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1380166
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1380166