Generation of the acute phencyclidine rat model for proteomic studies of schizophrenia

Abstract

Administration of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) to rodents has been used as the gold standard preclinical model for schizophrenia. PCP treatment induces hyperlocomotion and stereotypic behaviour, which resemble the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. In addition, proteomic studies have identified changes in proteins associated with energy metabolism and neurotransmission which are typical hallmarks of the disease. This chapter presents a protocol for the generation of this model, behavioural assessment and preparation of key bio-samples to provide the raw materials for proteomic analyses.