Experimental schizophrenia models in rodents established with inflammatory agents and cytokines

Hiroyuki Nawa, Kiyofumi Yamada

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Immune inflammatory processes in prenatal and perinatal stages are suggested to play crucial roles in the vulnerability to schizophrenia. Based upon this immune inflammatory hypothesis for schizophrenia, we have established animal models for this illness by subcutaneously administering cytokines or proinflammatory agents to rodent neonates. These models exhibit various schizophrenia-like behavioral abnormalities after puberty, most of which are sensitive to various antipsychotics. The experimental procedures are all simple and easily utilized by researchers unfamiliar with these models. The behavioral changes are reproducible and remarkable but do not accompany learning deficits. The molecular and cellular targets of these agents have also been investigated and partially characterized, such as the cortical GABAergic system, midbrain dopaminergic system and hippocampal glutamate system. In this chapter, we introduce the details of the procedure and discuss the potential application of these animal models to drug development for schizophrenia.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPsychiatric Disorders
Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
EditorsFiras Kobeissy
Pages445-451
Number of pages7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume829
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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