New Insights into Schizophrenia: Disruption of Neuronal Support and Communication

Recent research by the Neuropsychopharmacology group at the University of the Basque Country has shed light on how schizophrenia affects brain development at the cellular level. The study, led by scientist Leyre Urigüen, focused on changes in the extracellular matrix—the 'scaffolding' that provides structural support to neurons—and synapses, the critical points of communication between nerve cells. These findings bolster the understanding that schizophrenia is fundamentally a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Using a pioneering approach, researchers extracted neural stem cells from the olfactory epithelium, a tissue located at the top of the nostrils near the brain that contains sensory neurons responsible for smell. This non-invasive method allows scientists to cultivate these cells in the lab, forming neurospheres that emulate early neurodevelopmental stages. These structures serve as a personalized model to investigate the origins of schizophrenia.

The study revealed that in neurospheres derived from patients with schizophrenia, there are notable genetic alterations related to the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, when mature neurons were produced from these stem cells, defects were observed in genes associated with synapse formation and interaction with the matrix.

To confirm these cellular findings, the team measured protein levels crucial for synaptic function—L1CAM, NPTXR, and SCG2—in both cultured neurons and post-mortem brain tissues. All three proteins were found to be reduced in individuals with schizophrenia, indicating disrupted synaptic integrity.

These insights highlight how developmental irregularities at the molecular level contribute to schizophrenia. Moreover, the research opens promising avenues for discovering new biomarkers and developing personalized therapeutic strategies not only for schizophrenia but also for other neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.

The full study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, underscores the significance of early cellular changes in understanding and potentially treating complex brain disorders. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-schizophrenia-scaffolding-neurons-communication.html