Using rodents to model schizophrenia and substance use comorbidity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• Schizophrenia and substance use disorders (SUD) often present as a dual diagnosis.
• The underlying reasons for this comorbidity and optimal management strategies remain unclear.
• Rodent models are crucial for investigating gene-environment interactions in neurodevelopment and behavior relevant to dual diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of rodent models in understanding the interplay between schizophrenia and SUD.
• To identify how genetic and environmental factors contribute to dual diagnosis.
• To guide future research in dual diagnosis using animal models.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing various rodent models of schizophrenia, including neurodevelopmental models and models of specific genetic variants (Disc1, neurexin, dysbindin, neuregulin).
• Examining behavioral and physiological features relevant to SUD in these models.
• Investigating gene-drug interactions.

Main Results:

• Rodent models of schizophrenia exhibit behavioral and physiological characteristics pertinent to SUD.
• These models encompass diverse genetic and neurodevelopmental approaches.
• Existing models provide a foundation for studying dual diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Rodent models of schizophrenia hold promise for elucidating mechanisms underlying SUD and dual diagnosis.
• Future research should expand beyond locomotor activity and psychostimulants.
• Dissecting neuroadaptations is key to understanding dual diagnosis risk.