In-vivo model of cognitive disorders in schizophrenia

Newsletter # 56



Animal models

Although cognitive impairment is a major cause of disability in schizophrenic patients, there are no effective drugs that normalize the neurocognitive deficits. Phencyclidine (PCP, NMDA receptor antagonist) has been shown to elicit schizophrenia-like symptoms including cognitive impairment in humans.


NEUROFIT recreated PCP-induced cognitive behavioral impairment in mice and has generated different proof of concept data. The results are in line with clinical findings and thus support the relevance of the model for drug discovery purposes.

  • In the example below, PCP-induced cognitive deficit is significantly improved by the treatment of mice with D-Serine or with Glycine Transporter-1 inhibitor (ASP 2535). The therapeutic cognitive benefit of these treatments has been observed in schizophrenic patients.

  • D-Serine


    *, *** , statistically significant as compared to the Placebo condition


    D-serine is a co-agonist at the NMDA receptors aiming to enhance the receptor function.
  • ASP 2535


    *** , statistically significant as compared to the Placebo condition


    ASP 2535 is a Glycine Transporter-1 inhibitor aiming to raise concentration of glycine which is another co-agonist of NMDA receptors.

  • Another model of schizophrenia-related cognitive deficit is also available.
    Find out more...


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NEUROFIT offers a range of validated in vitro and in vivo screening tests for psychiatry and neurology.

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