Phenotype of spontaneous orofacial dyskinesia in neuregulin-1 'knockout' mice

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2009 Mar 17;33(2):330-3. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.12.010. Epub 2008 Dec 25.

Abstract

Studies in antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia indicate a baseline level of spontaneous involuntary movements, particularly orofacial dyskinesia. Neuregulin-1 is associated with risk for schizophrenia and its functional role can be studied in 'knockout' mice. We have shown previously that neuregulin-1 'knockouts' evidence disruption in social behaviour. Neuregulin-1 'knockouts' were assessed for four topographies of orofacial movement, both spontaneously and under challenge with the D(1)-like dopamine receptor agonist SKF 83959. Neuregulin-1 'knockouts' evidenced an increase in spontaneous incisor chattering, particularly among males. SKF 83959 induced incisor chattering, vertical jaw movements and tongue protrusions; the level of horizontal jaw movements was increased and that of tongue protrusions decreased in neuregulin-1 'knockouts'. These findings indicate that the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin-1 is involved in the regulation of not only social behaviour but also orofacial dyskinesia. Orofacial dyskinesia in neuregulin-1 mutants may indicate some modest genetic relationship between risk for schizophrenia and vulnerability to spontaneous movement disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / analogs & derivatives
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology
  • Jaw / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Movement / drug effects
  • Movement / physiology
  • Movement Disorders / genetics*
  • Movement Disorders / psychology*
  • Neuregulin-1 / genetics*
  • Neuregulin-1 / physiology*
  • Phenotype
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / agonists
  • Tongue / physiology

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine
  • SK&F 83959