Neuronal distribution in the cerebral cortex and its significance in schizophrenia

Abnormal cortical architectures have been identified as one of the microscopic neuropathological findings of schizophrenia. Among such findings, the altered distribution of neurons is suggestive of deficits during brain development and is consistent with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. However, the relationship between altered neuronal distribution and emergence of psychosis is unclear. In this review, we discuss the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia and describe the normal architecture of the neocortex and the recent findings regarding neocortical development. Thereafter, we summarize the abnormal cortical architectures reported for the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, on the basis of the recent findings regarding cortical development, we suggest a mechanism for the formation of abnormal cortical architectures in schizophrenia and speculate how it could relate to some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.