A candidate molecule approach to defining developmental pathology in schizophrenia.

The evidence that schizophrenia may have its origins from early in life, possibly during prenatal brain development, is based primarily on a constellation of nonspecific anatomical findings and on the results of surveys of obstetrical complications and of childhood neurological and psychological adjustment. The developmental processes implicated by this evidence are uncertain, but speculation has centered around abnormalities of neuronal proliferation, migration, and connection formation. These developmental milestones are the results of complicated cellular processes involving molecular interactions between cells and between the extracellular and intracellular milieus.

Violent behavior by individuals with serious mental illness.

Objective: The perceived association between violent behavior and serious mental illness was explored to determine the validity of claims by mental health advocates that individuals with serious mental illness are no more dangerous than members of the general population.

Methods: The author reviewed recent studies and media accounts of violent behavior by individuals with serious mental illness, with emphasis given to the most recent studies.

Results And Conclusions: Although the vast majority of individuals with serious mental illness are not more dangerous than members of the general population, recent findings suggest the existence of a subgroup that is more dangerous.

Amyloid precursor protein in the cerebral cortex is rapidly and persistently induced by loss of subcortical innervation.

Lesions of the cholinergic nucleus basalis of Meynert elevate the ex vivo synthesis of beta amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) in the cerebral cortex, a major projection region. We have found that this elevation is reflected by increased levels of beta-APP mRNA. The induction is rapid (occurring 60 min after placement of the lesion) and persistent (remaining for at least 45 days after lesioning).