Related Pathologies
Abnormal spindle neuron development may be linked to several psychotic disorders, typically those characterized by distortions of reality, disturbances of thought, disturbances of language, and withdrawal from social contact. Altered spindle neuron states have been implicated in both schizophrenia and autism, but research into these correlations remains at a very early stage. An initial study suggested that Alzheimer's disease specifically targeted Von Economo neurons, however, this study was performed with end-stage Alzheimer brains in which cell destruction was widespread. Later, it was found that Alzheimer's disease doesn't affect the VENS, but behavioral variant frontotemporal lobe degeneration specifically targets these cell populations in the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula early in the disease.
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