[Reactivity of perineuronal astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia: an ultrastructural morphometric study].

Objective: Previously the ultrastructural alterations of astrocytes have been reported in schizophrenia. Reduced dendritic arborization of the neurons in layer 5 of the prefrontal cortex has been found in schizophrenia. Authors hypothesized that the abnormalities in perineuronal astrocytes (PA) might contribute to these neuronal changes.

[Abnormal patterns of cortical synaptic connectivity in schizophrenia].

Electron microscopic morphometric study of postmortem prefrontal cortex (area 10) and visual cortex (area 17) was performed to estimate the numeric density (Nv) of synapses in layers I and II, neurons in layer II and the number of synapses per neuron in layer II in 20 cases of chronic schizophrenia and 16 healthy controls using stereological physical dissector method. In the prefrontal cortex the Nv of axospinous synapses was significantly lower in layer I (-20%, p < 0.05) in schizophrenia group and in the subgroup with predominantly positive symptoms as compared to controls (p < 0.

[Lowered oligodendroglial cell density in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia].

Using optical dissector methodology, a morphometric study of numerical density of oligodendroglial cells in layer VI and in adjacent white matter of Broadmann area 10 has been conducted in 23 postmortem brains of schizophrenics and 20 matched controls. Comparing to controls, a significant reduction of numerical density of oligodendroglial cells was found in layer VI (by 31%) and adjacent white matter (by 12%) of schizophrenic patients. The data obtained, as well as ultrastructural signs of oligodendroglial cells apoptosis and necrosis found earlier by the authors, may indicate a loss of these cells in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia, which may, in its turn, result in neuronal and high cortical dysfunctions.

[Morphometric study of ultrastructural changes in oligodendroglial cells in the postmortem brain in endogenous psychoses].

A qualitative and quantitative electron microscopic study of oligodendroglial cells was performed in autoptic (4-6.5 hours after death) prefrontal area 10 in 16 cases of schizophrenia, 6 cases of bipolar affective disorder and 16 normal controls, as well as in the caudate nucleus in same schizophrenic and control cases. The signs of reactive, regressive, and progressive changes of oligodendroglia were described in endogenous psychoses.

[Mossy fibers of the hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease].

An ultrastructural study of changes in synaptic contacts and astrocytic processes of postmortem hippocampus was performed in 5 cases of Alzheimer's disease. Mossy fibres in the stratum lucidum were examined. Pronounced alterations included clustering of synaptic vesicles, membranous damage and multilamellar profiles in synaptic terminals.

[Synaptic plasticity and the glio-synaptic relationships of the rat hippocampus in age-related memory dysfunction].

Qualitative and quantitative studies of structural changes of synaptic contacts and processes were performed in aged memory-non-impaired an aged memory-impaired rats compared to young rats in the stratum lucidum of the hippocampus. Aged memory-impaired rats (compared with young adults) showed alteration in the ultrastructure of mossy fiber expansions and the loss of axospinous synapses formed by them. These changes were more pronounced than in memory-non-impaired rats.

[Neuromorphology and neurochemistry of senile dementias in the light of studies on glial response].

The present study describes a few morphological and neurochemical disturbances in astroglial cells in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). The greatly elevated number of fibrous astrocytes in brain samples with SDAT is observed. The content of glial fibrillar acid protein is elevated in these cells.

[Dysontogenesis of the brain of the progeny born to mothers drinking alcohol during pregnancy].

A study was made of the development of the brain from 44 embryos (5-12 weeks) and 1 fetus (14 weeks) obtained from mothers who used alcohol during pregnancy. 16 cases made up the control group. In 34 cases out of 45 (75.

[Involutional changes in the epithelium of the human cerebral vascular plexuses and ependyma based on scanning electron microscopy data].

Vascular plexi and cerebral ependyma were studied using scanning electron microscope for young, adult and elderly patients. In the elderly the formations mentioned had a number of structural peculiarities, thus, the majority of the epithelial cells in vascular plexus were lacking microvilli, the intercellular spaces were widened having deep grooves in them. Ependymal changes with age were characterized by the disappearance of villi in some groups of cells resulting in the appearance of large zones lacking superficial structures.

[Developmental status and prospects of the pathological anatomy of mental diseases].

A brief history of the development of the history of pathological anatomy of mental diseases in the country is given. The current stage is characterized, its features being due to development and introduction into practice of new methods of brain research (electron microscopy, histo-cytochemistry, luminescent microscopy, histoautoradiography, studies in tissue culture, ect). The main approaches and achievements of the national and foreign science in pathological anatomy of psychoses are outlined.

[Relationship between ultrastructural pathology of the embryonal brain and features of the course and treatment of schizophrenic mothers].

Evaluation of the ultrastructural changes in embryonic brain cells was made according to the intensity of two complexes--destructive and compensatory-proliferative. They were correlated with a number of clinical parameters (features of mother's disease, the condition at the moment of abortion, peculiarities of treatment, etc.).

[Microglia-type cells in normal and pathologic human embryonic brains].

The brains of 7--12 week embryos, developing in normal and mentally ill females (normal--14, schizophrenia--12, other mental disorders--10) were studied by means of electron microscopy. It was established that the cells of the microglia type may be encountered in the brain of embryos beginning from 7 weeks. In the brain of embryos from normal females these cells had mainly a round or oval form (globose microglia).

[Changes in the ultra-fine structure of capillaries of the embryonic brain in the presence of schizophrenia in the mother].

The report is concerned with a study of fine structures of brain capillaries in 9 embryos received during medical abortions from schizophrenic mothers. The authors established some traits in the ultrastructure of endothelial cells in most of the studied cases--an increase of the surface of endothelial cells at the expense of a tortuosity of their plasmatic membranes and a formation of growths, vacuolization of the cytoplasma. There were also some changes in the structure of basal membranes.