Investigating the role of inflammation in schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness that has more recently been described as a neurodevelopment disorder. The cause of this disorder is currently unknown and likely involves both genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have suggested that the genesis of this ill health is derived from aberrant neuronal function. This viewpoint, however, appears to somewhat isolate the brain from other systems, in particular overlooking the impact that altered metabolic and immune systems may have on this disorder. Moreover, in comparison to the funded research focused on studying the dysfunction of neurons in schizophrenia, very little advancements have been made to investigate the role of glia, and in particular astrocytes, in this disease. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of astrocytes, immune cells and adipocytes in schizophrenia (Chapter 1). This aim was achieved by examining a number of factors released by these cells (Chapter 2).