Elsevier

Behavioural Brain Research

Volume 225, Issue 1, 20 November 2011, Pages 382-387
Behavioural Brain Research

Short communication
Behavioural deficits associated with maternal immune activation in the rat model of schizophrenia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.07.033Get rights and content

Abstract

Schizophrenia is associated with changes in memory and contextual processing. As maternal infection is a risk factor in schizophrenia we tested for these impairments in a maternal immune activation (MIA) animal model. MIA rats displayed impaired object recognition memory, despite intact object discrimination, and a reduced reinstatement of rearing in response to a contextual manipulation. These results link MIA to contextual impairments in schizophrenia, possibly through changes in hippocampal function.

Highlights

► The MIA model produces schizophrenia-like memory impairment in rats. ► MIA produces a reduced reinstatement of rearing after a change in context. ► MIA animals show a less persistent reinstatement of rearing after contextual change. ► MIA is associated with schizophrenia-like contextual processing impairments. ► These impairments may be associated with damage to the hippocampus or its afferents.

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. We would also like to thank Saralee Illingworth for her involvement.

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