Publications by authors named "Danny Boerrigter"
Schizophr Bull
March 2024
Article Synopsis
- Previous research has indicated that the innate immune system, particularly through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), may play a role in schizophrenia (SZ), with TLRs reacting to pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
- A study comparing TLR levels in white blood cells of 86 SZ patients and 77 healthy controls found higher TLR4 and TLR8 levels and lower TLR3 levels in those with SZ, suggesting enhanced immune activation.
- The study also revealed a link between TLR levels and the thickness of the cingulate gyrus, implying that bacterial influences might be more significant than viral ones in SZ, contributing to changes in brain structure.
J Neuroimmunol
March 2022
Article Synopsis
- - Maternal immune activation (MIA) using high molecular weight poly(I:C) is a method to study schizophrenia and autism in preclinical research, but variations in the technique can lead to different results.
- - In experiments with Wistar rats, administering 4 mg/kg of HMW-poly(I:C) on GD19 resulted in maternal sickness, smaller litter sizes, and increased levels of serum cytokines.
- - The study found that male offspring had higher serum cytokine levels compared to females, while MIA didn't change peripheral cytokines in either sex, which can help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders.
Brain Behav Immun
March 2022
Article Synopsis
- - Growing evidence suggests that the complement system may play a role in schizophrenia, but the specific disturbances in complement factors among patients are not fully understood.
- - In a study with 75 healthy controls and 90 patients with schizophrenia, researchers analyzed blood samples and MRI scans to assess complement factor levels and cortical thickness.
- - Findings revealed increased levels of specific complement receptors, regulators, and proteins in schizophrenia patients, with elevated C4a levels linked to higher inflammation and reduced cortical thickness in certain brain regions.
Article Synopsis
- Increased levels of cytokines and inflammation-related transcripts were found in the midbrain, particularly in individuals with schizophrenia who show a high inflammatory/immune profile.
- The study identified a connection between macrophage-related transcripts and complement pathways, revealing significant increases in specific markers (like CD163 and ICAM1) in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia and high inflammation.
- Findings suggest that an influx of macrophages to the midbrain might be linked to enhanced complement activation, potentially contributing to dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia, warranting further research through single-cell and preclinical studies.
Schizophr Bull
March 2021
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the connection between neuroinflammation and schizophrenia using free-water (FW) imaging, a technique that measures the movement of water molecules in the brain to detect inflammatory processes.*
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- Researchers analyzed a large sample of schizophrenia patients to identify peripheral cytokine irregularities and their relationship with FW in brain white matter, finding significant differences in pro-inflammatory cytokines between patients and controls.*
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- Results suggest that heightened levels of specific pro-inflammatory cytokines in schizophrenia are linked to increased FW levels in brain white matter, indicating inflammation may contribute to changes observed in the brain of affected individuals.*
Mol Psychiatry
November 2020
Article Synopsis
- The kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism plays a crucial role in connecting the immune system with brain signaling, particularly in schizophrenia where kynurenic acid levels are elevated.
- The study examined brain and plasma KP metabolites and enzyme mRNAs in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls, focusing on those with high levels of inflammatory cytokines.
- Results indicated that higher inflammatory cytokines were linked to increased KP activity in the brain and altered cognitive functions, suggesting that inflammation may contribute to the development of schizophrenia by affecting neurotransmitter pathways and brain structure.
J Neuroinflammation
September 2017
Article Synopsis
- Inschizophrenia, a subset of individuals exhibits elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, termed the "elevated inflammatory biotype," which may help define the disorder better.
- The study measured levels of five cytokine mRNAs and eight cytokine proteins in people with schizophrenia and healthy controls, revealing significant differences in cytokine expression.
- Results showed lower IL-2 mRNA, and increased IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα serum levels in individuals with schizophrenia, with nearly half of these individuals falling into the elevated inflammatory biotype, highlighting a potential link between inflammation and schizophrenia.
Article Synopsis
- * A study analyzed postmortem human hippocampal tissue from 26 individuals (aged 18-88) and found significant decreases in expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 and the immature neuron marker doublecortin with age.
- * The research suggests a stable population of hippocampal stem cells as specific stages of neurogenesis, such as proliferation and neuron maturation, decline independently with aging.
Article Synopsis
- Testosterone's influence on locomotion and dopamine behavior in adolescent male rats is unclear, but prior research suggests it may increase dopamine synthesis in midbrain neurons.
- A study involved gonadectomized rats receiving testosterone or blank implants to analyze how this hormonal exposure impacted their locomotion, particularly under amphetamine influence.
- Findings indicate that lack of testosterone during adolescence increases locomotion, while testosterone exposure decreases it; additionally, the estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene enhances locomotion in both testosterone-treated and untreated rats, counteracting testosterone's effects.
