Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

3.9K

Translating the MAM model of psychosis to humans

Gemma Modinos1, Paul Allen1, Anthony A Grace2

  • 1Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Trends in Neurosciences
|January 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia research suggests medial temporal lobe (MTL) changes and dopamine dysfunction may interact to cause psychosis. Human studies in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) show findings consistent with the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) model.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Schizophrenia is characterized by elevated dopamine function and medial temporal lobe (MTL) structural/functional alterations.
  • The interplay between these abnormalities in psychosis onset remains poorly understood.
  • The methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rodent model links MTL dysfunction to striatal dopamine abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review neuroimaging studies investigating components of the MAM model in humans.
  • To examine human data from individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis.
  • To assess the consistency of human findings with the MAM rodent model.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent neuroimaging studies.
  • Focus on human participants with ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis.
  • Comparison of human neuroimaging data with predictions from the MAM model.

Main Results:

  • Neuroimaging findings in UHR individuals are broadly consistent with the MAM model's proposed mechanisms.
  • Evidence supports a link between MTL alterations and dopamine system dysfunction in psychosis development.
  • Specific components of the MAM model are supported by human data.

Conclusions:

  • Human neuroimaging data align with the MAM model's hypothesis regarding psychosis development.
  • The MAM model provides a useful framework for understanding schizophrenia pathophysiology.
  • Further research is needed to refine cross-species comparisons and fully validate the model in humans.
Keywords:
animal researchneurobiologyneuroimagingprodromepsychosisschizophrenia

More Related Videos

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.2K
Implementation of a Real-Time Psychosis Risk Detection and Alerting System Based on Electronic Health Records using CogStack07:31

Implementation of a Real-Time Psychosis Risk Detection and Alerting System Based on Electronic Health Records using CogStack

Published on: May 15, 2020

8.3K

Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
2.6K
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
689
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview01:28

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic...
1.2K
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
760
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
956
Stereotype Content Model02:16

Stereotype Content Model

The Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was first proposed by Susan Fiske and her colleagues (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick & Xu, 2002; see also Fiske, 2012 and Fiske, 2017). The SCM specifies that when someone encounters a new group, they will stereotype them based on two metrics: warmth—or that group’s perceived intent, and how likely they are to provide help or inflict harm—and competence—or their ability to carry out that objective. Depending on the warmth-competence...
15.7K