Contrary to the hypothesis of decreased inhibitory influence in the midbrain, we found that the proportions of two subpopulations of inhibitory neurons (inh-ALK and inh-B) were potentially increased in schizophrenia, which may indicate a shift in the type of inhibitory control within the ventral midbrain, rather than a loss of inhibitory neurons. The gene discussed is ALK; the disease is schizophrenia.