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Hippocampal interneuron transplants reverse aberrant dopamine system function and behavior in a rodent model of schizophrenia

Molecular Psychiatry volume 18, pages 1193–1198 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Schizophrenia patients exhibit increased hippocampal activity that is correlated with positive symptoms. Although the cause of this hippocampal hyperactivity has not been demonstrated, it likely involves a decrease in GABAergic signaling. Thus, we posit that restoring GABAergic function may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of schizophrenia. It has been demonstrated that transplanted GABAergic precursor cells from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) can migrate and differentiate into mature interneurons. Here, we demonstrate that ventral hippocampal MGE transplants can restore hippocampal function and normalize downstream dopamine neuron activity in a rodent model of schizophrenia. Furthermore, MGE transplants also reverse the hyper-responsive locomotor response to amphetamine. Taken together, these data demonstrate that restoring interneuron function reverses neurophysiological and behavioral deficits in a rodent model of schizophrenia and moreover, demonstrate the feasibility of a neuronal transplant procedure as a potential novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of schizophrenia.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a mental health research grant from the Hogg Foundation and an R01 (MH090067) and F31 (MH098564) from the NIH. Representative images were generated in the Core Optical Imaging Facility which is supported by UTHSCSA, NIH-NCI P30 CA54174 (CTRC at UTHSCSA) and NIH-NIA P01AG19316.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    S M Perez & D J Lodge

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Correspondence to D J Lodge.

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Dr Lodge reports receiving consulting fees from Dey Pharmaceuticals, whereas Perez declares no conflict of interest.

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Perez, S., Lodge, D. Hippocampal interneuron transplants reverse aberrant dopamine system function and behavior in a rodent model of schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 18, 1193–1198 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2013.111

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