Studies on the CNS effects of systemic inflammation induced by dsRNA

Abstract

Poly-Inosinic: Poly-Cytidylic Acid (poly I:C) is a synthetic double stranded analogue that contains the main components of a double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA). It is often used in neuroimmunology to mimic the effects of acute viral infection and ascertain the neurobiological response. This study sets out to examine the role of Maternal Immune Activation (MIA), using poly I:C, on neurodevelopment. Initially implementation of the MIA model was attempted using Amersham poly I:C, which produced no viable offspring. As the most reported poly I:C preparation used in the literature is Sigma poly I:C the MIA model was attempted using this preparation. Fortunately offspring viability following treatment with various doses of Sigma poly I:C during gestation was equivalent to offspring viability in saline treated animals, therefore, further MIA studies were conducted using the Sigma poly I:C preparation. Determination of an animal model of psychosis using MIA was assessed using behavioural correlates for hyperactivity, anxiety, social interaction, working memory and catecholamine hypersensitivity. Unfortunately, at inter-peritoneal (ip.) MIA doses of I2mg/kg, 20mg/kg and 40mg/kg poly I:C few robust behavioural deficits were seen compared to offspring from mothers treated with saline during gestation