The Nature of Prefrontal Cortical GABA Neuron Alterations in Schizophrenia: Markedly Lower Somatostatin and Parvalbumin Gene Expression Without Missing Neurons

Abstract

Novel multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques permit definitive distinction between cellular levels of transcripts and the presence of neurons expressing those transcripts. In schizophrenia, pronounced SST and PV mRNA deficits are attributable to lower levels of each transcript per neuron, not fewer neurons, arguing against death or abnormal migration of these neurons. Instead, these neurons appear to be functionally altered and thus amenable to therapeutic interventions.