Human Cell Models for Schizophrenia

Abstract

Research on mental disorders that affect mainly unique human traits or higher brain function will benefit greatly from the introduction of live human tissues relevant to account for the phenotypes. Human neuronal cell models allow for precise molecular and functional characterization of patient phenotypes and genetic backgrounds. Sources of human cell types discussed here include biopsy of olfactory tissue, cellular reprogramming of patient somatic cell lines, either first to pluripotency or directly to neuronal cells. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are particularly useful to study developmental trajectories and functional activity in many disease-relevant cell types. These human cell models should be integrated with current clinical psychiatric and functional characterizations as well as animal models to progress the translational and clinical applications of basic research. Published in the Strungmann Forum Reports Series.