Grant: Operating Grant

The causes of schizophrenia remain unclear, but there is strong evidence to suggest a genetic component to the disease. Even though the susceptibility genes that cause schizophrenia are inherited from birth, the symptoms of the disease are not fully apparent until after adolescence and into early adulthood. We and others hypothesize that improper neural communication and connection during childhood brain development occurs in schizophrenia. Using a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia, we propose to study the emergence of schizophrenia related behaviours through development, and determine whether antipsychotic treatment at early developmental timepoints could improve therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, we propose to study the ability of the brain to improve function by restoring proper neuronal communication at different developmental stages. In performing these studies, we may gain insight into early diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, and may determine whether early therapeutic intervention is beneficial for brain function in schizophrenic patients.