Bipolar disorder type 1 and schizophrenia are accompanied by decreased density of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the parahippocampal region

Acta Neuropathol. 2011 Nov;122(5):615-26. doi: 10.1007/s00401-011-0881-4. Epub 2011 Oct 4.

Abstract

GABAergic interneurons synchronize network activities and monitor information flow. Post-mortem studies have reported decreased densities of cortical interneurons in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). The entorhinal cortex (EC) and the adjacent subicular regions are a hub for integration of hippocampal and cortical information, a process that is disrupted in SZ. Here we contrast and compare the density of interneuron populations in the caudal EC and subicular regions in BPD type I (BPD-I), SZ, and normal control (NC) subjects. Post-mortem human parahippocampal specimens of 13 BPD-I, 11 SZ and 17 NC subjects were used to examine the numerical density of parvalbumin-, somatostatin- or calbindin-positive interneurons. We observed a reduction in the numerical density of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the caudal EC and parasubiculum in BPD-I and SZ, but no change in the subiculum. Calbindin-positive interneuron densities were normal in all brain areas examined. The profile of decreased density was strikingly similar in BPD-I and SZ. Our results demonstrate a specific reduction of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the parahippocampal region in BPD-I and SZ, likely disrupting synchronization and integration of cortico-hippocampal circuits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autopsy
  • Bipolar Disorder / metabolism
  • Bipolar Disorder / pathology*
  • Calbindins
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Count
  • Entorhinal Cortex / metabolism
  • Entorhinal Cortex / pathology
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interneurons / metabolism*
  • Interneurons / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net / metabolism
  • Nerve Net / pathology
  • Parahippocampal Gyrus / metabolism
  • Parahippocampal Gyrus / pathology*
  • Parvalbumins / metabolism*
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / metabolism
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism
  • Schizophrenia / pathology*
  • Somatostatin / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Calbindins
  • Parvalbumins
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • Somatostatin