Characterization of a model of schizophrenia induced by maternal immune activation: preliminary results

MUÑOZ ESTELA MARIS; MARTIN FACUNDO; PERALTA LOPEZ MARIA ELENA; CARPENTIERI AGATA RITA

CIUDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BUENOS AIRES

Encuentro; XXXIV REUNION ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN NEUROCIENCIAS; 2024

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN NEUROCIENCIAS (SAN)

Schizophrenia, a mental disorder with unclear etiophysiopathology, presents with delirium,hallucinations, social isolation and cognitive alterations. There are various animal models ofschizophrenia. The first and most widely studied are based on alterations in different neurotransmission systems. Recently, maternal immune activation (MIA) by infectious conditionsduring pregnancy has begun to be studied. These insults can trigger persistent neuroinflammationin the offspring, impair neurodevelopment and cause a schizophrenia-like syndrome. In the presentwork we set out to establish and characterize a model of MIA in Wistar rats induced by poly I:C acidIP on day 12 of gestation. Systemic parameters and acute phase inflammatory reactive parameterswere analyzed in blood obtained by cardiac puncture 24 hours after the injection of poly I:C indoses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight. No significant differences were detected in blood count,C reative protein (CRP) and ultrasensitive CRP of the rats treated with poly I:C acid and thecontrols. Body temperature was similar in both groups. The analysis of proinflammatory interleukins would be important to confirm systemic inflammation capable of determining neuroinflammation in the offspring. We are processing other inflammatory and behavioral parameters in the MIA offspring that could confirm this as a model of schizophrenia.