Dyregulated expression of the oligodendroglial transcriptionfactor Olig 2 in schizophrenia and depression

Objective Neuroimaging and neuropathological studies revealed myelin defects and microarray-profiling analysis demonstrated aberrant expression of myelin-related genes in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. However, the aetiology underlying myelin impairment in these clinically distinct subjects remains elusive (Feng Y, 2008). Olig 2 is an important transcription factor for the development of the oligodendrocyte lineage, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of these major psychiatric disorders. Material and methods To clarify this question oligodendroglial Olig 2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus and mediodorsal thalamus of 20 schizophrenic patients, 18 depressed patients and 19 matched controls (from the Magdeburg brain collection). Results: Significant diagnosis-related alterations in Olig 2 positive oligodendrocyte density were observed in the mediodorsal thalamus. Schizophrenic patients had significantly lower numbers of Olig 2-positive oligodendrocytes than depressed patients in this brain region. However no significant diagnosis-effects were detected in the hippocampus. Conclusion Our dater provides evidence for a potential role of dyregulated expression of the oligodendroglial transcriptionfactor Olig 2 in schizophrenia. This is in accordance with several previous studies (e.g., Uranova NA, et al. 2007).