Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors

Schizophrenia and other related disorders represent a major clinical challenge, with environmental and genetic factors contributing to their occurrence. Animal models are indispensable tools for understanding the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychosis and for developing new therapeu...

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Main Author: Manojlović Marina
Format: Article
Language:srp
Published: Pharmaceutical Association of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia 2024-01-01
Series:Arhiv za farmaciju
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Online Access:https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0004-1963/2024/0004-19632406774M.pdf
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author Manojlović Marina
author_facet Manojlović Marina
author_sort Manojlović Marina
collection DOAJ
description Schizophrenia and other related disorders represent a major clinical challenge, with environmental and genetic factors contributing to their occurrence. Animal models are indispensable tools for understanding the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychosis and for developing new therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on the animal models commonly used in schizophrenia research, especially those based on prenatal and postnatal environmental risk factors. Prenatal exposure to infections, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and viral components such as poly I:C, activates immune responses that lead to long-lasting structural and functional changes in the brain, including hippocampal atrophy and cortical thinning. Postnatal factors such as early life stress, social isolation and drug abuse, particularly cannabis, are also being modelled to investigate their effects on brain development and the onset of psychosis. These models allow controlled manipulation of environmental challenges and provide insights into the aetiology and pathophysiology of the disease. However, the variability of experimental protocols and lack of female representation in many studies underscore the need for more robust and inclusive animal models. Ultimately, these models are crucial for a better understanding of schizophrenia and for testing potential therapeutic interventions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0004-1963
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spelling doaj-art-15eb904cd333462ba53d7e71662a60ad2025-01-08T15:12:31ZsrpPharmaceutical Association of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaArhiv za farmaciju0004-19632217-87672024-01-0174677479510.5937/arhfarm74-548450004-19632406774MUnderstanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressorsManojlović Marina0University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Physiology, Belgrade, SerbiaSchizophrenia and other related disorders represent a major clinical challenge, with environmental and genetic factors contributing to their occurrence. Animal models are indispensable tools for understanding the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychosis and for developing new therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on the animal models commonly used in schizophrenia research, especially those based on prenatal and postnatal environmental risk factors. Prenatal exposure to infections, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and viral components such as poly I:C, activates immune responses that lead to long-lasting structural and functional changes in the brain, including hippocampal atrophy and cortical thinning. Postnatal factors such as early life stress, social isolation and drug abuse, particularly cannabis, are also being modelled to investigate their effects on brain development and the onset of psychosis. These models allow controlled manipulation of environmental challenges and provide insights into the aetiology and pathophysiology of the disease. However, the variability of experimental protocols and lack of female representation in many studies underscore the need for more robust and inclusive animal models. Ultimately, these models are crucial for a better understanding of schizophrenia and for testing potential therapeutic interventions.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0004-1963/2024/0004-19632406774M.pdfpsychosisprenatal infectionsearly life stresssocial aversionsubstance abuse
spellingShingle Manojlović Marina
Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
Arhiv za farmaciju
psychosis
prenatal infections
early life stress
social aversion
substance abuse
title Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
title_full Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
title_fullStr Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
title_full_unstemmed Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
title_short Understanding schizophrenia through animal models: The role of environmental stressors
title_sort understanding schizophrenia through animal models the role of environmental stressors
topic psychosis
prenatal infections
early life stress
social aversion
substance abuse
url https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0004-1963/2024/0004-19632406774M.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT manojlovicmarina understandingschizophreniathroughanimalmodelstheroleofenvironmentalstressors