Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) in the Study of Schizophrenia: How Preclinical ERP Studies have Contributed to our Understanding of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Impairments in auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) have been studied extensively as endophenotypic markers of schizophrenia. Abnormalities in amplitude and latency of the ERPs as well as aberrations in gating of the auditory stimuli and difficulties in the detection of change in auditory stimulus characteristics are common in schizophrenic populations. This chapter introduces readers to ERPs and their role as an endophenotypic marker of schizophrenia. In addition to a review of the basic understanding of the role of ERPs in human research, this chapter also illustrates the congruence of mouse and human ERPs. The role of rodent-based preclinical models of ERP abnormalities, including pharmacological and genetic models, in schizophrenia research is reviewed. Pharmacologic models of treatment are also a promising area of research in the preclinical study of schizophrenia. The authors describe several wellstudied mouse models and the effects of various antipsychotic treatments on ERPs in these model. More novel therapeutics and models, including abnormalities in gamma oscillations, also are discussed. List of Abbreviations: ABRs, acoustic brainstem responses; cAMP, cyclic AMP; DHBE, dihydro-b-erythroidine; ERPs, event-related potentials; GBO, gamma band oscillation; ISI, interstimulus interval; MLA, Event-related potentials (ERPs) in the study of schizophrenia 5.2 methyllycaconitine; MMN, mismatch negativity; nAChR, nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptor; NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate