Three-dimensional alteration of neurites in schizophrenia

TL;DR

This study uses nano-CT imaging to analyze 3D neuronal structures in schizophrenia, revealing increased neurite curvature and structural variability that may underlie psychiatric symptoms.

Contribution

It introduces nano-CT analysis for detailed 3D neuronal structure comparison between schizophrenia and control brains, highlighting structural alterations associated with the disorder.

Findings

Neuronal structures vary between individuals.

Distal neurites in schizophrenia have 1.5 times higher mean curvature.

No structural differences in dendritic spines between groups.

Abstract

This paper reports nano-CT analysis of brain tissues of schizophrenia and control cases. The analysis revealed that: (1) neuronal structures vary between individuals, (2) the mean curvature of distal neurites of the schizophrenia cases was 1.5 times higher than that of the controls, and (3) dendritic spines were categorized into two geometrically distinctive groups, though no structural differences were observed between the disease and control cases. The differences in the neurite curvature result in differences in the spatial trajectory and hence alter neuronal circuits. We suggest that the structural alteration of neurons in the schizophrenia cases should reflect psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia.