Infant rat ultrasonic vocalizations in the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is characterized by early brain developmental abnormalities resulting in, among others, compromised communication. Rodent models, such as prenatal exposure to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM), help investigate schizophrenia-related deficits. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rodent pups are a preclinical tool to study social communication. This study examines how prenatal MAM exposure affects the development, structure, and maternal potentiation of USVs. Pregnant rats received MAM or saline on the 17th gestational day. Offspring USVs were recorded upon maternal separation on the 6th, 9th, and 12th postnatal days (PND), while maternal potentiation was tested on the 10th PND. USV characteristics, temporal organization, clustering, and syntax were analyzed by DeepSqueak's mach

SUBMITTER: Potasiewicz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12304202 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature