Retroviral RNA identified in the cerebrospinal fluids and brains of individuals with schizophrenia Proc. Retroviral RNA identified in the cerebrospinal fluids and brains of individuals with schizophrenia Proc.
Schizophrenia is a serious brain disease of uncertain etiology.
A role for retroviruses in the etiopathogenesis of some cases of schizophrenia has been postulated on the basis of clinical and epidemiological observations. Retroviral sequences also were identified in the CSFs of 1 of 20 individuals with chronic schizophrenia. The transcriptional activation of certain retroviral elements within the central nervous system may be associated with the development of schizophrenia in at least some individuals. The further characterization of retroviral elements within the central nervous system of individuals with schizophrenia might lead to improved methods for the diagnosis and management of this disorder.