Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) Test
Objective: Assessment of acoustic startle response and prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in offspring exposed to maternal viral infection or immune challenge
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Equipment1
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Materials2
Software1
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Protocol Steps
Maternal viral infection or immune challenge
Pregnant mice (BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains) were infected with human influenza virus via respiratory route, or alternatively, maternal injection of synthetic double-stranded RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid was administered
Note: Two experimental approaches: viral infection or poly(I:C) injection to induce maternal immune response
View evidence from paper
“respiratory infection of pregnant mice (both BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains) with the human influenza virus yields offspring that display highly abnormal behavioral responses as adults”
Prepulse inhibition testing in adult offspring
Adult offspring were tested for prepulse inhibition deficits in the acoustic startle response
Note: Testing conducted in adult offspring to assess behavioral abnormalities
View evidence from paper
“these offspring display deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) in the acoustic startle response”
Pharmacological testing
Acute administration of antipsychotic drugs (clozapine and chlorpromazine) and psychomimetic drug (ketamine) to assess drug responses in infected offspring
Note: Infected mice displayed striking responses to acute drug administration compared to control mice
View evidence from paper
“the infected mice also display striking responses to the acute administration of antipsychotic (clozapine and chlorpromazine) and psychomimetic (ketamine) drugs”