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Continuous performance test impairment in a 22q11.2 microdeletion mouse model: improvement by amphetamine.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Nilsson, Simon RO 
Heath, Christopher J 
Didienne, Steve 
Fejgin, Kim 

Abstract

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) confers high risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. These disorders are associated with attentional impairment, the remediation of which is important for successful therapeutic intervention. We assessed a 22q11.2DS mouse model (Df(h22q11)/+) on a touchscreen rodent continuous performance test (rCPT) of attention and executive function that is analogous to human CPT procedures. Relative to wild-type littermates, Df(h22q11)/+ male mice showed impaired attentional performance as shown by decreased correct response ratio (hit rate) and a reduced ability to discriminate target stimuli from non-target stimuli (discrimination sensitivity, or d'). The Df(h22q11)/+ model exhibited decreased prefrontal cortical-hippocampal oscillatory synchrony within multiple frequency ranges during quiet wakefulness, which may represent a biomarker of cognitive dysfunction. The stimulant amphetamine (0-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently improved d' in Df(h22q11)/+ mice whereas the highest dose of modafinil (40 mg/kg, i.p.) exacerbated their d' impairment. This is the first report to directly implicate attentional impairment in a 22q11.2DS mouse model, mirroring a key endophenotype of the human disorder. The capacity of the rCPT to detect performance impairments in the 22q11.2DS mouse model, and improvement following psychostimulant-treatment, highlights the utility and translational potential of the Df(h22q11)/+ model and this automated behavioral procedure.

Description

Keywords

Amphetamine, Animals, Attention, Behavior, Animal, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Cognitive Dysfunction, DiGeorge Syndrome, Disease Models, Animal, Electroencephalography Phase Synchronization, Executive Function, Hippocampus, Male, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Modafinil, Prefrontal Cortex, Psychomotor Performance

Journal Title

Transl Psychiatry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2158-3188
2158-3188

Volume Title

8

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G1000183)
European Commission (115008)
Medical Research Council (G0001354)