Disturbs of brain development can lead to adult to adult behavioral deficits, let’s check it out!

The neuronal network formation during development influences adult brain function, so that any disturbance at this stage is suggested to trigger the pathology of adult mental disorders. On the basis of this fact, the consequences of knocking down genetic susceptibility factors, for disorders such as schizophrenia, have been elucidated by the present study.

By using an innovating technique – In Utero Gene Transfer – this research group modulated the expression of target genes in the prefrontal cortex, and then they follow the development of the brain and how these changes may influence high brain functions as cognition and information processing.

In order to follow these changes from early brain development to postnatal brain maturation mice with selective knockdown were generated in this study. The importance of the use of animal models is also shown in this research, as these models can help us to be clear in aspects such as the consequences in high brain functions in adults of the disturbances in early development.

REFERENCE: M. Niwa, et al. Knockdown of DISC1 by In Utero Gene Transfer Disturbs Postnatal Dopaminergic Maturation in the Frontal Cortex and Leads to Adult Behavioral Deficits. Neuron, Volume 65, Issue 4, Pages 480-489

Maria Cristina Rondon

42142012