Project Summary

L. Fredrik Jarskog, M.D., (Independent Investigator 2006) of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, aims to use MRI imaging in an animal model to study the longitudinal effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics on rat brain structure. In the proposed study, daily haloperidol, olanzapine and saline will be administered to rats for 6 months. Structural MRI images (9.4 Tesla) will be obtained at baseline, 3, and 6 months to assess for progressive changes in cortical gray matter, hippocampus, striatum and lateral ventricles. Findings should provide important insight regarding the contribution of antipsychotic medications to the evidence for progressive brain volume changes in the early stages of schizophrenia. Furthermore, if antipsychotic treatment in rat brain demonstrates a similar pattern of changes seen in first-episode schizophrenia, then this approach could be used to screen novel treatments for schizophrenia regarding their potential to induce neurostructural changes.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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