Schizophrenia and the Schizophrenia and the BrainBrain

By: Awa NdiayeBy: Awa NdiayeLehman CollegeLehman CollegeMentor: Dr. JonesMentor: Dr. Jones

Introduction: What is Introduction: What is SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

•Etymology : Greek, (Etymology : Greek, (schizoschizo- to spilt - to spilt or divide, or divide, phrenphren- mind)- mind)

•Schizophrenia is a mental disorder Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by illogical thinking characterized by illogical thinking patterns, delusions, hallucinations, patterns, delusions, hallucinations, and behavioral, emotional and and behavioral, emotional and intellectual disturbances.intellectual disturbances.

What part of the Brain is What part of the Brain is affected by Schizophreniaaffected by Schizophrenia

• The Hippocampus- located in the pre-The Hippocampus- located in the pre-frontal lobe of the brainfrontal lobe of the brain

Contd. Contd. What does the Hippocampus What does the Hippocampus

do?do?

• The hippocampus controls memory, The hippocampus controls memory, learning and emotions. learning and emotions.

• FunctionsFunctions turns short term memories into long term turns short term memories into long term

memoriesmemories cognitioncognition help remember names and faceshelp remember names and faces atrophies under stressatrophies under stress support learning new thingssupport learning new things

MaterialsMaterials

• Rat’s BrainRat’s Brain

• BioquantBioquant

• MicrotomeMicrotome

• Glass containers with lidGlass containers with lid

• Sony digital cameraSony digital camera

• Cresyl violetCresyl violet

• MicroscopeMicroscope

ProcedureProcedure

PART 1: Producing schizophrenia symptoms in the rat

• Step 1: Mate two healthy rats and allow Step 1: Mate two healthy rats and allow the offspring to age to 4 days old.the offspring to age to 4 days old.

• Step 2: At the 4Step 2: At the 4thth day, send an electric day, send an electric current current through the mediodorsial (MD) cortex on the left side of the rat’s brain.

• Step 3: When the rat reaches 60 days old, sacrifice the rat, dissect the brain and slice the brain so that the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex is visible.

ProcedureProcedurePART 2: Creating Slides/Cresyl Violet Staining• Step 1: Dip the slides in the following solutions for the given amount of time

DeFat:– 70%EtOH- 1min– 95%ETOH- 1min– 95%ETOH- 1min– 100%ETOH- 1min– 100%ETOH- 1min– Xylene- 5min– Xylene- 5min– 100%ETOH 1min– 100%ETOH 1min– 95%ETOH- 1min– 95%ETOH- 1minStain:– Water 1min– Cresyl violet 15min– Rinse slide with water– 70% ETOH 1min– 95% ETOH + 4-5 drops of Acetic Acid- 3 -7 minsDehydrate:– 95% ETOH 2min– 100% ETOH 2min– 100%ETOH 2min– HEMO –D 5min– HEMO- D 5min

• Step 2: Set to dry

ProcedureProcedure

• PART 3:Analyzing dataPART 3:Analyzing data

Using Bioquant and a microscope Using Bioquant and a microscope connected to the computer, compare connected to the computer, compare

both sides of the hippocampus.both sides of the hippocampus.

ResultsResults• Notice the size difference in the hippocampus. The left Notice the size difference in the hippocampus. The left

side of the picture is where the electric current was sent side of the picture is where the electric current was sent and the right side is the control (Normal).and the right side is the control (Normal).

Figure 1: Negyessy, L., J. Hamori, and M. Bentivoglio. "Contralateral Cortical Projection to the Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus: Origin and Synaptic Organization in the Rat." Pergamon 84(1998):

DiscussionDiscussion

• Based on the results it is instantly recognizable Based on the results it is instantly recognizable that the hippocampus has significantly decreased. that the hippocampus has significantly decreased.

• This was caused by the electric current that was This was caused by the electric current that was sent through the left hippocampus of the rat’s sent through the left hippocampus of the rat’s brain. brain.

• This leads to the conclusion that the leading This leads to the conclusion that the leading cause, for schizophrenics’ symptoms, is the cause, for schizophrenics’ symptoms, is the decrease of the hippocampus which can cause the decrease of the hippocampus which can cause the inability to restore current and new information, inability to restore current and new information, the loss of memory and the instability of emotions.the loss of memory and the instability of emotions.

Future plans/questionsFuture plans/questions

• Future questions that we would to Future questions that we would to conduct further research on.conduct further research on. Can schizophrenia be detected earlier before it fully Can schizophrenia be detected earlier before it fully

develops?develops? To find a possible cure for schizophrenia.To find a possible cure for schizophrenia. To see whether or not the effects that schizophrenia To see whether or not the effects that schizophrenia

have on the hippocampus can lead to any other have on the hippocampus can lead to any other abnormalities in the brain.abnormalities in the brain.

ReferencesReferences

• Boyle, Mary. Boyle, Mary. Schizophrenia: A Scientific delusion?Schizophrenia: A Scientific delusion?. . New York: Chapmen and Hill Inc., 1990. New York: Chapmen and Hill Inc., 1990.

• Haug, and Whalen. Haug, and Whalen. Animal Models of human Animal Models of human Emotion and cogitationEmotion and cogitation. Washington, D.C.: . Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1999. American Psychological Association, 1999.

• Houston, John CS. Houston, John CS. The Mind's FoundationThe Mind's Foundation. New . New York: Dr. John CS Houston, 2001. York: Dr. John CS Houston, 2001.

• Oxford University Press, "Oxford University Press, "Schizophrenia." Schizophrenia." Encyclopedia of PsychologyEncyclopedia of Psychology. V. 7. 2000. . V. 7. 2000.

• Wolk, Elaine F.. Wolk, Elaine F.. Schizophrenia: A life-course Schizophrenia: A life-course Developmental perspectiveDevelopmental perspective. New York: Academic . New York: Academic Press Inc., 1991. Press Inc., 1991.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Dr. JonesDr. Jones

• JesseJesse

• NayduNaydu

• Lehman CollegeLehman College

• Harlem Children SocietyHarlem Children Society

• Dr. Sat BhattacharyaDr. Sat Bhattacharya

• Thank You Audience For ListeningThank You Audience For Listening