Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in rats with neonatal ibotenic acid lesions of the ventral hippocampus.
Increasing evidence suggests that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a progressive course characterized by worsening of symptoms and morphological alterations within the brain. This suggests that a neurodegenerative component may exist in schizophrenia. The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neurodevelopment, cell viability and synaptic plasticity led to the investigation of BDNF as a potential candidate molecule in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. BDNF mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of animals with neonatal ibotenic acid lesions of the ventral hippocampus, a putative neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia. Results demonstrate that animals with neonatal ibotenic acid lesions of the ventral hippocampus have reduced basal levels of BDNF mRNA. It is possible that alterations in this trophic factor render animals more susceptible to neurodegenerative insults.
Ashe
Paula C
PC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Wiggins Road, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E4, Saskatoon, Canada. paula.ashe@nrc.ca
Chlan-Fourney
Jennifer
J
Juorio
Augusto V
AV
Li
Xin-Min
XM
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007051:Ibotenic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007051:Ibotenic Acid