Genome-wide expression analysis reveals dysregulation of myelination-related genes in chronic schizophrenia

Neuropathological and brain imaging studies suggest that schizophrenia may result from neurodevelopmental defects. Cytoarchitectural studies indicate cellular abnormalities suggestive of a disruption in neuronal connectivity in schizophrenia, particularly in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying these findings remain unclear. To ident ify molecular substrates associated with schizophrenia, DNA microarray anal ysis was used to assay gene expression levels in postmortem dorsolateral pr efrontal cortex of schizophrenic and control patients. Genes determined to have altered expression levels in schizophrenics relative to controls are i nvolved in a number of biological processes, including synaptic plasticity, neuronal development, neurotransmission, and signal transduction. Most not able was the differential expression of myelination-related genes suggestin g a disruption in oligodendrocyte function in schizophrenia.