Complement component C4 and neuroimaging in psychiatry: A systematic review.
Jonathan Chabert, Charles Laidi, Xavier Caseras et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the relationship between brain C4A protein levels and neuroimaging findings in psychiatric and general-population cohorts. Eleven studies were included, revealing that higher C4A levels were consistently linked to smaller entorhinal cortex surface area and cortical thickness across various age groups. The findings highlight the complex interplay between C4A levels and brain structure.
Key findings
- Higher C4A levels were associated with smaller entorhinal cortex surface area and cortical thickness.
- Associations varied by brain region, with the mOFC and dlPFC implicated in multiple studies.
- Findings were consistent across pediatric, middle-aged, and older general-population cohorts.
- One study linked higher genetically predicted C4A expression to increased TSPO levels.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of C4A in brain structure may provide insights into the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders and inform future research on neurodevelopmental processes and inflammatory mechanisms in the brain.
What to keep in mind
The review included a limited number of studies with methodological heterogeneity, complicating the synthesis of findings.