Prenatal Stress Induces Schizophrenia-Like Alterations of Serotonin 2A and Metabotropic Glutamate 2 Receptors in the Adult Offspring: Role of Maternal Immune System
Journal of Neuroscience January 16, 2013 Terrell Holloway, José L. Moreno, Adrienne Umali et al. 122 citations
Severe stress during pregnancy in mice alters the expression of two brain receptors linked to schizophrenia: serotonin 5-HT2A increases and metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 decreases in the frontal cortex. These changes correspond to behavioral differences in adult offspring, such as a heightened response to a hallucinogenic drug and reduced antipsychotic-like effects of a mGlu2/3 agonist. Cross-fostering ruled out maternal care as a cause, and similar effects appeared after prenatal immune activation. The findings support the idea that early neurodevelopmental disruptions contribute to schizophrenia risk.