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Injections of NGF into neonatal frontal cortex decrease social interaction as adults: a rat model of schizophrenia.

Noah L Lazar1, Nagalingam Rajakumar, Donald Peter Cain

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada. nlazar@uwo.ca

Schizophrenia Bulletin
|May 26, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Neonatal nerve growth factor (NGF) injections into the rat frontal cortex (FC) impaired social interaction. These findings in this animal model suggest a link between early-life brain development and schizophrenia-like behaviors.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Nerve growth factor (NGF) injections into the developing frontal cortex (FC) induce schizophrenia-like neuropathological and behavioral changes in adult rats.
  • These changes include dopaminergic hyperactivity and impaired prepulse inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of NGF-induced frontal cortex lesions on social interaction in rats.
  • To determine if these lesions mimic negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as impaired social behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Rat pups received NGF injections into the developing FC on postnatal days 1 and 2.
  • Social interaction was assessed in lesioned and control rats at 6 and 14 weeks of age using automated behavioral monitoring.
  • Histological analysis confirmed lesion integrity.

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Main Results:

  • At 6 weeks, lesioned rats exhibited increased movement during the light phase.
  • By 14 weeks, lesioned rats maintained greater distances and showed reduced social approach and avoidance behaviors during the dark phase.
  • Histological findings were consistent with previous studies.

Conclusions:

  • NGF injections into the developing rat FC lead to significant deficits in social interaction.
  • These findings support the use of this animal model to study schizophrenia, particularly its negative symptoms.