This study examines fibroblast cell cultures from people with schizophrenia versus controls. The authors found alterations in gene expression, protein abundance, and a functional assay related to cell proliferation (incorporation of tritiated thymidine). Bioinformatic analysis of the results from the gene array study also suggested disruption of the cell cycle process.

The use of cell cultures (e.g. lymphoblastoid cell lines, fibroblast, olfactory neuroepithelium) in biological psychiatry may help us gain traction on altered pathways associated with disease processes.

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