title: Brain in flames - animal models of psychosis: utility and limitations.
abstract: The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that schizophrenia is a psychopathological condition resulting from aberrations in neurodevelopmental processes caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors which proceed long before the onset of clinical symptoms. Many studies discuss an immunological component in the onset and progression of schizophrenia. We here review studies utilizing animal models of schizophrenia with manipulations of genetic, pharmacologic, and immunological origin. We focus on the immunological component to bridge the studies in terms of evaluation and treatment options of negative, positive, and cognitive symptoms. Throughout the review we link certain aspects of each model to the situation in human schizophrenic patients. In conclusion we suggest a combination of existing models to better represent the human situation. Moreover, we emphasize that animal models represent defined single or multiple symptoms or hallmarks of a given disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany ; Department of Neurosurgery, Helios Clinics, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schweibold
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wolf
keywords: animal models; inflammation; microglia; schizophrenia