Mouse genetic models for prepulse inhibition: an early review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a neurophysiological measure of sensorimotor gating.
• Impaired PPI is observed in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders, suggesting disrupted gating mechanisms.
• Mouse models are increasingly utilized to investigate the genetic underpinnings of sensorimotor gating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the use of mouse models in exploring genetic and neurochemical influences on prepulse inhibition (PPI).
• To synthesize findings on PPI responses in various inbred strains, genetically modified mice, and pharmacologically challenged mice.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies on mouse models examining prepulse inhibition (PPI) responses.
• Analysis of PPI data from inbred mouse strains, spontaneous mutants, and gene-targeted mutants.
• Examination of pharmacological studies investigating PPI in mice.

Main Results:

• PPI responses exhibit a continuous distribution across inbred mouse strains, indicating a polygenic trait.
• Mutant mouse models are valuable for dissecting the roles of specific genes and chromosomal regions in regulating PPI.
• Pharmacological studies in mice largely confirm findings in rats, with notable exceptions, highlighting species-specific responses.

Conclusions:

• Mouse models are critical tools for understanding the genetic and neurochemical basis of sensorimotor gating.
• Research using mice significantly advances our comprehension of the biological mechanisms underlying PPI.
• The polygenic nature of PPI suggests complex genetic architectures influence sensorimotor gating.