TITLE:
Aberrant Light-Induced Depression is Associated with Impaired Sensorimotor Gating in Mice
AUTHORS:
Toshiaki Haga, Junichi Toei, Kenichi Mitsui, Mareki Ohtsuji, Yo Kodera, Kenichi Osada, Hiroyuki Nishimura
KEYWORDS:
Depression, Sensorimotor Gating, C3H/HeJ, Prepulse Inhibition, Circadian Rhythm
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.8 No.1,
December
15,
2017
ABSTRACT: Mice subjected to an irregular light-dark cycle are
known to lose their capacity to synchronize their behavioral rhythm to
environmental light, and to show endophenotypes related to depressive
disorders. Here we observed that a susceptible strain of mice (C3H/HeJ)
subjected to an irregular 3.5 hr:3.5 hr light-dark cycle showed
an enhanced acoustic startle reflex and deficits in prepulse inhibition. As
impaired sensorimotor gating is associated with the onset of a variety of
mental disorders such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, irregular
environmental light without circadian photo-entrainment may cause stress that
has the potential to be involved in humans’ susceptibility to neuropsychiatric
abnormalities.