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ASSR & Schizophrenia
40HZ-Auditory Steady-State Response as a New Tool for Drug Discovery in Schizophrenia
Auditory steady-state response (ASSR) measures the intrinsic ability of auditory neuronal ensembles to entrain to rhythmically presented stimuli. Human studies have consistently shown a 40-Hz deficit in ASSR in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and in family members with increased risk of SZ. ASSR deficits in SZ could reflect neurophysiological abnormalities and developmental alterations in the neurotransmission of excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid: GABA) transmitter systems.
The goal of the study is to:
– Measure reliable ASSRs in freely moving rat models of NMDA hypofunction.
– Quantify responses in frontal and auditory cortices (two structures known to show ASSRs).
– Investigate a graded deficiency in NMDA transmission induced by MK-801 on EEG entrainment to 40 Hz click stimuli.
