#17 - Glia Characterization in BLOC-1 deficient mice

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, disorganized speech, memory deficits and an emotionless demeanor. It has been reported that dysbindin, a subunit of the octomeric BLOC-1 complex, is reduced in the hippocampus of patients with SZ. Dysbindin regulates endosomal trafficking and has also been localized to the astroglial endfeet and endothelial cells that line capillaries in the cerebellum. Microglial activation has been implicated in neurological disorders and may regulate SZ progression. Thus, further characterization of glia cell function in SZ is necessary. This study will examine glia cell markers in dysbindin deficient mice in an effort to further understand disease progression in SZ.