Overexpression of Neuregulin-1 Type III has Impact on
Visual Function in Mice
Volume 5 - Issue 3
Nan Su1,3, Weiqi Zhang2, Nicole Eter1, Peter Heiduschka1* and Mingyue Zhang2*
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Research laboratory, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
- 2Lab for Molecular Neuroscience, Clinic for mental Health, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
- 3Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Republic of China, China
Received:March 10, 2021 Published:March 17, 2021
Corresponding author: Mingyue Zhang, Lab for molecular neuroscience, Clinic for Mental Health, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
DOI: 10.32474/OJNBD.2021.05.000215
Abstract
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Schizophrenia is associated with several brain deficits, including abnormalities in visual processes. Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1) is a family
of trophic factors containing an Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) like domain. It is thought to play a role in neural development and
has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorder. Abnormal Nrg1 expression has been observed in schizophrenia. Moreover, there is
more and more evidence found about pathological changes of the retina regarding structural, neurochemical and physiological
parameters. However, mechanisms of these changes are not well known. To investigate this, we analyzed function of the visual system
using Electroretinography (ERG) and measurement of Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) in a transgenic mouse overexpressing Nrg1
type III. ERG amplitudes tended to be higher in transgenic mice in younger animals, whereas the amplitudes were almost similar
in older mice. VEP amplitudes are larger in transgenic mice in both younger and older animals, with significance in older animals.
Nonetheless, latencies did not differ considerably in both age groups (wt & tg). Our data show for the first time that overexpression
of Nrg1 type III changed visual function in transgenic mice. Overall, this Investigation of visual function in transgenic mice is helpful
for understanding corresponding changes that occur in schizophrenia, as they may find use as biomarkers for psychiatric disorders
as well as a potential.
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