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Published on: September 19, 2011
Criteria for determining whether mismatch responses exist in animal models: Focus on rodents
Lauren Harms1, Patricia T Michie1, Risto Näätänen2
1School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Center for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Australia.
Abstract:
The mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the auditory event-related potential, elicited in response to unexpected stimuli in the auditory environment, has great value for cognitive neuroscience research. It is changed in several neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. The ability to measure and manipulate MMN-like responses in animal models, particularly rodents, would provide an enormous opportunity to learn more about the neurobiology underlying MMN. However, the MMN in humans is a very specific phenomenon: how do we decide which features we should focus on emulating in an animal model to achieve the highest level of translational validity? Here we discuss some of the key features of MMN in humans and summarise the success with which they have been translated into rodent models. Many studies from several different labs have successfully shown that the rat brain is capable of generating deviance detection responses that satisfy of the criteria for the human MMN.
Insights
Mismatch negativity (MMN), an auditory event-related potential, is altered in neuropsychiatric disorders. Rodent models show promise for studying MMN neurobiology, with rats demonstrating successful deviance detection responses.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a valuable auditory event-related potential for cognitive neuroscience.
- MMN alterations are observed in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
- Translating MMN research to animal models is crucial for understanding its neurobiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the translational validity of rodent models for studying human MMN.
- To identify key MMN features for emulation in animal models.
- To assess the capability of rodent brains in generating MMN-like responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of key human MMN features.
- Comparison of these features with existing rodent MMN studies.
- Analysis of deviance detection responses in rat models.
Main Results:
- Successful translation of several key human MMN features into rodent models.
- Demonstration that rat brains can generate deviance detection responses meeting MMN criteria.
- Evidence supporting the utility of rodent models for MMN research.
Conclusions:
- Rodent models, particularly rats, can successfully emulate human MMN characteristics.
- These models offer significant opportunities to investigate the neurobiology of MMN.
- Further research in rodent models can enhance understanding of MMN and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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