Some Cytoarchitectural Abnormalities of the Entorhinal Cortex in Schizophrenia

TLDR

The entorhinal cortex is critical for corticohippocampal interactions, and early structural disruption may cause neuropsychological changes that contribute to schizophrenia symptoms. The cytoarchitecture of the entorhinal cortex was examined in the brains of six schizophrenia patients and 16 controls. All six schizophrenic brains exhibited abnormalities in the rostral and intermediate entorhinal cortex—including aberrant surface invaginations, disrupted cortical layers, heterotopic neuron displacement, and superficial neuron paucity—suggesting disturbed development.

Abstract

• The cytoarchitecture of the entorhinal cortex was examined in the brains of six patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and in 16 controls. All six brains of schizophrenic patients showed abnormalities of the rostral and intermediate portions of the entorhinal cortex. The abnormalities included aberrant invaginations of the surface, disruption of cortical layers, heterotopic displacement of neurons, and paucity of neurons in superficial layers. These changes suggest disturbed development. Because the entorhinal cortex is pivotal for neural systems that mediate corticohippocampal interactions, early disruption of its structure could lead to important neuropsychological changes during development and in adult life and could contribute to the symptomatology of schizophrenia.