UBIQUITINATION AS A PROBE FOR NEURODEGENERATION IN THE BRAIN IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Abnormalities in brain structure and brain function have been describe d in schizophrenia. It is not vet known whether these are caused by an abnormality of brain development, some form of birth injury, or a neu rodegenerative process. Using immunocytochemical methods and a marker for neurodegeneration (ubiquitin), we examined an area of prefrontal c ortex from elderly schizophrenic and control subjects for the presence of ubiquitin-positive degeneration products. There was no statistical difference in the degree of ubiquitination between the control and th e patient samples. The findings provide no evidence to support a neuro degenerative process.