Decreased hippocampal GAP-43 immunoreactivity in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Published: 2006
Language: eng
Number of pages: 67
ISBN-13: 9780494213315
Description: Background. Impairment of neuroplasticity is recognized as important to bipolar disorder pathogenesis. Mood stabilizers have been shown to prevent structural brain changes and promote cell viability in bipolar disorder and animal studies. GAP-43 is a marker of neuronal plasticity and cellular resiliency. Methods. Fixed hippocampal sections obtained from the Stanley Foundation Neuropathology Consortium of bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and controls were subjected to GAP-43 immunohistochemistry. Results. Significantly decreased GA-P-43 immunoreactivity was found in the hilar region of subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia compared to controls. GAP-43 immunoreactivity levels in the stratum oriens of CA3 were higher in bipolar disorder subjects treated with mood stabilizers at time of death compared to subjects not treated with mood stabilizers and also controls. Conclusions. Impaired neuroplasticity may occur in the hippocampus of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers may exert neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in this region in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, page: 1455.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2006.

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