Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation In A Maternal Immune Activation Model Of Schizophrenia: Mechanisms Of Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,364.00
Summary
Maternal infection and vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increase the risk of children developing schizophrenia. We model these risk factors in pregnant mice. Offspring produce schizophrenia-like behaviours. When pregnant mice with experimental inflammation are treated with the hormonally active form of vitamin D this completely abolished all schizophrenia-like behaviours in offspring. We want to a) understand this mechanism, b) replicate using a form of vitamin D safe-to-use in humans.
Do The Developmental Vitamin D-deficiency And Maternal Immune Activation Animal Models Of Schizophrenia Have Convergent Early Pathways ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,580.00
Summary
The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown but it is generally considered to have a neurodevelopmental basis and involve altered dopamine signaling. Using two distinct developmental animal models of schizophrenia we have shown convergent gestational abnormalities in how dopamine systems develop. This is possibly a convergent early etiological mechanism in schizophrenia.
Developmental Vitamin D-deficiency And Autism; Exploration Of Potential Mechanisms And Refining Phenotype In An Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,249.00
Summary
We have now shown in a large cross-sectional study that low levels of vitamin D during gestation increase the incidence of autism in children. When we model this risk-relationship in animals we show changes in important developmental processes and behaviours previously linked to autism in children. We now want to understand both the exact downstream molecular pathways affected in the developing brain along with the precise brain structural and behavioural abnormalities produced in offspring.