Enhanced Dopamine in Prodromal Schizophrenia (EDiPS): a new animal model of relevance to schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT: One of the most robust neurochemical abnormalities reported in patients living with schizophrenia is an increase in dopamine (DA) synthesis and release in the dorsal striatum (DS). Importantly, it appears that this increase progresses as a patient transitions from a prodromal stage to the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. Here we have recreated this pathophysiology in an animal model by increasing the capacity for DA synthesis preferentially within the DS. To achieve this we administer a genetic construct containing the rate-limiting enzymes in DA synthesis-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) (packaged within an adeno-associated virus)-into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of adolescent animals. We refer to this model as "Enhanced Dopamine in Prodromal Sc

SUBMITTER: Petty A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6441087 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature