A new model of schizophrenia based on the species Gnathonemus petersii enriched with assessments of electrocommunication and social behavior (NU21-04-00405)

Basic informations

Investigator: prof. MUDr. Jiří Horáček, Ph.D., FCMA
Main recipient: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Co-recipient:Faculty of Science, Charles University
Research period: 1/5/2021 - 31/12/2024
Total budget: 9,713,000 CZK
NIMH budget: 6,156,000 CZK
Supported by: Czech Health Research Council (AZV ČR)

Annotation

Behavioural repertoires of currently used model organisms of schizophrenia do not allow to model substantial positive (verbal hallucinations, desorganised speech), negative (alogia) and higher cognitive symptoms with speech as a common denominator. Search for a more suitable model organism is required. The aim of the project is to establish phenomenological, constructive and predictive validity of a novel model based on the Gnathonemus petersii (G. petersii) species in three pharmacological models (glutamatergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic). G. petersii is a weakly electric fish species displaying complex social behaviour and using electric activity (EOD) in communication and spatial orientation. The proposed model is assumed to enrich modelling schizophrenia of the unique opportunity to directly measure specific positive and negative symptoms via studying electrocommunication and widen the possibilities of examination cognitive symptoms via studying electroorientation. Studying impairment of prepulse inhibition will be enriched by the opportunity to observe associated EOD pattern.