Irradiation in Adulthood as a New Model of Schizophrenia
Author Information
Author(s): Iwata Yasuhide, Suzuki Katsuaki, Wakuda Tomoyasu, Seki Norihito, Thanseem Ismail, Matsuzaki Hideo, Mamiya Takayoshi, Ueki Takatoshi, Mikawa Sumiko, Sasaki Takeshi, Suda Shiro, Yamamoto Shigeyuki, Tsuchiya Kenji J., Sugihara Genichi, Nakamura Kazuhiko, Sato Kohji, Takei Nori, Hashimoto Kenji, Mori Norio
Primary Institution: Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
Hypothesis
Reduction of adult neurogenesis by irradiation may be implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in adulthood.
Conclusion
Irradiation in adulthood caused behavioral abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia, suggesting a link between reduced adult neurogenesis and schizophrenia-like behaviors in rats.
Supporting Evidence
- Three months after irradiation, the number of BrdU-positive cells in the SVZ and SGZ of irradiated rats was significantly lower than in controls.
- Irradiated rats showed enhanced hyperactivity after methamphetamine administration compared to controls.
- Behavioral tests revealed deficits in social interaction and working memory in irradiated rats.
Takeaway
When rats were exposed to radiation as adults, they started to behave in ways similar to people with schizophrenia, like being hyperactive and having trouble with social interactions.
Methodology
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with a total dose of 15-Gy in six fractionations over three weeks, followed by behavioral and neurochemical assessments three months later.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the interpretation of behavioral results due to the subjective nature of some assessments.
Limitations
The study primarily used male rats, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to females.
Participant Demographics
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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