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Tyrosine hydroxylase localization in the nucleus accumbens in schizophrenia

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Abstract

The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) has been implicated in schizophrenia (SZ) pathology, based on antipsychotic action therein. However, recent imaging studies suggest that the NAcc may not be a locus of dopamine dysregulation in SZ. This study examined postmortem human tissue to determine if abnormalities are present in dopamine synthesis in the NAcc in SZ. We compared the immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting synthesizing enzyme of dopamine, in postmortem tissue from SZ subjects and demographically matched controls. To study the effects of chronic antipsychotic drug (APD) treatment on TH immunolabeling in the NAcc, rats were treated for 6 months with haloperidol or olanzapine. In the NAcc, TH immunolabeling was similar in control and SZ subjects, in both the core and shell. Rats had similar TH optical density levels across treatment groups in both the core and shell. Similar levels of TH suggest DA synthesis may be normal. These findings provide further insight into the role of the NAcc in SZ.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the staff of the Maryland Brain Collection for their assistance with collection of the human tissue used in this study. We would also like to thank Charlotte Hammond and Joy Roche for the care and treatment of the rats, and collection of rat tissue, used in this study. This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health F31MH098566 (LAM), RO1MH066123 (RCR), and MH087752 (REM and RCR).

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  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 865D, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Lesley A. McCollum & Rosalinda C. Roberts

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA

    Robert E. McCullumsmith

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  1. Lesley A. McCollum
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  2. Robert E. McCullumsmith
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Correspondence to Rosalinda C. Roberts.

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McCollum, L.A., McCullumsmith, R.E. & Roberts, R.C. Tyrosine hydroxylase localization in the nucleus accumbens in schizophrenia. Brain Struct Funct 221, 4451–4458 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-015-1174-9

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