[Microglia-type cells in normal and pathologic human embryonic brains].

The brains of 7--12 week embryos, developing in normal and mentally ill females (normal--14, schizophrenia--12, other mental disorders--10) were studied by means of electron microscopy. It was established that the cells of the microglia type may be encountered in the brain of embryos beginning from 7 weeks. In the brain of embryos from normal females these cells had mainly a round or oval form (globose microglia). Axons were encountered relatively rarely. Some of the cells had protrusions of the pseudopodia-like type. In the brain of embryos from mentally ill females the cells of the microglia type have diverse, sometimes sticklike forms; they form multiple thin axons, actively fagocyte. The ultrastructure in such conditions was not destructed. These changes are considered to be the result of an increased activity of microglial cells under the influence of factors of the pathological process.