Is there gliosis in schizophrenia? Investigation of the temporal lobe.

Recent studies have described two indicators of pathology in the schizophrenic brain--gliosis and atrophy. The degree of gliosis in the temporal lobe of groups of schizophrenics (with demonstrable atrophy), affectives, and controls was quantified using immunocytochemical techniques and computer-assisted densitometry. Twenty areas within the temporal lobe were assessed. Our data showed no evidence of increased gliosis in the schizophrenic group compared to controls and affectives. This extends and replicates our previous findings, demonstrating that the atrophy/aplasia in schizophrenia is not associated with pathologically significant gliosis. Our observations are consistent with other studies, suggesting that the structural change in schizophrenic brains is due to an embryonic insult or developmental anomaly of an, as yet, undetermined nature.