Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Bertram, 2007 PubMed |
| Full Info | Bertram, I., Bernstein, H.G., Lendeckel, U., Bukowska, A., Dobrowolny, H., Keilhoff, G., Kanakis, D., Mawrin, C., Bielau, H., Falkai, P. et al. (2007) Immunohistochemical evidence for impaired neuregulin-1 signaling in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and in unipolar depression. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1096, 147-156.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
In the central nervous system (CNS), neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) proteins function in neuronal migration, differentiation, and survival of oligodendrocytes. The NRG-1 gene codes for at least 15 different isoforms, which may be classified on the basis of their molecular structure. At least two different haplotypes of the NRG-1 gene may be associated with schizophrenia. An abnormal expression pattern of NRG-1 mRNA was found in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients in comparison to controls.
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| Sample Information | 22 schizophrenics, 12 patients with affective disorders (7 unipolar and 5 bipolar), and 22 matched controls |
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| Method Detail | We here show that the NRG-1alpha isoform is significantly reduced in white matter of the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia but not in affective disorder. In the prefrontal gray matter, the density of NRG-1alpha expressing neurons was reduced in individuals with schizophrenia and in unipolar patients. We studied brains of 22 schizophrenics, 12 patients with affective disorders (7 unipolar and 5 bipolar), and 22 matched controls. NRG-1alpha immunoreactive material was detected with a polyclonal antiserum against the synthetic peptide from alpha-type EGF-like domain of human NRG. |
| Method Keywords | postmortem study; immunocytochemical analysis; immunoblotting; Q-PCR |
| Result | The demonstrated decreased number of NRG-1 immunoreactive neurons in the brains of schizophrenics and patients with unipolar depression points to an important role of this NRG-1alpha splice variant in neuropsychiatric disorders. Reduced NRG-1alpha protein concentrations were found in brains of schizophrenics after Western blot analysis. |
| Conclusions | The diminished expression of NRG-1alpha strongly supports an early neurodevelopmental component to schizophrenia. |
Relationships reported by
Bertram, 2007
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
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MDD
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syndrome |
Pro-neuregulin-1, membrane-bound isoform (NRG-1alpha) |
protein |
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The demonstrated decreased number of NRG-1 immunoreactive neurons in the brains of schizophrenics and patients with unipolar depression points to an important role of this NRG-1alpha splice variant in neuropsychiatric disorders |
Positive
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