Meeting Banner
Abstract #4080

Social isolation in rats as a model for schizophrenia - a functional connectivity approach

Jonathan Rochus Reinwald1, Robert Becker1, Claudia Falfan-Melgoza1, Anne Mallien2, Dragos Inta2, Peter Gass2, Alexander Sartorius1, and Wolfgang Weber-Fahr1

1Translational Imaging, Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim / Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany, 2Animal Models in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim / Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany

Post-weaning social isolation rats are a widely used translational animal model for schizophrenia based on its typical schizophrenic-like behavioral alterations. Nevertheless, effects of isolation on functional brain connectivity are highly understudied. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging with seed-based and graph analyses to investigate effects of social isolation in rats on brain connectivity. Our major findings consistently demonstrated dysmodularity, hypofrontality, posterior hyperconnectivity and reorganization of the somatosensory cortex. These features resemble alterations of functional brain connectivity commonly observed in schizophrenic patients and other translational animal models, underlining the potential use of isolated rats as a translational model of schizophrenia.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.

Keywords