Schizophrenia and the Brain By: Awa Ndiaye Lehman College Mentor: Dr. Jones

Introduction: What is Schizophrenia Etymology : Greek, (schizo- to spilt or divide, phren- mind) Etymology : Greek, (schizo- to spilt or divide, phren- mind) Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by illogical thinking patterns, delusions, hallucinations, and behavioral, emotional and intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by illogical thinking patterns, delusions, hallucinations, and behavioral, emotional and intellectual disturbances.

What part of the Brain is affected by Schizophrenia The Hippocampus- located in the pre- frontal lobe of the brain The Hippocampus- located in the pre- frontal lobe of the brain

Contd. What does the Hippocampus do? The hippocampus controls memory, learning and emotions. Functions  t t t turns short term memories into long term memories  c c c cognition  h h h help remember names and faces  a a a atrophies under stress  s s s support learning new things

Materials Rat’s Brain Rat’s Brain Bioquant Bioquant Microtome Microtome Glass containers with lid Glass containers with lid Sony digital camera Sony digital camera Cresyl violet Cresyl violet Microscope Microscope

Procedure PART 1: Producing schizophrenia symptoms in the rat Step 1: Mate two healthy rats and allow the offspring to age to 4 days old. Step 1: Mate two healthy rats and allow the offspring to age to 4 days old. Step 2: At the 4 th day, send an electric current Step 2: At the 4 th day, send an electric 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.

Procedure PART 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 – –100%ETOH- 1min – –Xylene- 5min – –100%ETOH 1min – –95%ETOH- 1min Stain: – –Water 1min – –Cresyl violet 15min – –Rinse slide with water – –70% ETOH 1min – –95% ETOH drops of Acetic Acid mins Dehydrate: – –95% ETOH 2min – –100% ETOH 2min – –HEMO –D 5min – –HEMO- D 5min Step 2: Set to dry

Procedure PART 3:Analyzing data PART 3:Analyzing data Using Bioquant and a microscope connected to the computer, compare both sides of the hippocampus.

Results Notice the size difference in the hippocampus. The left side of the picture is where the electric current was sent and the right side is the control (Normal). Notice the size difference in the hippocampus. The left side of the picture is where the electric current was sent 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):

Discussion Based on the results it is instantly recognizable that the hippocampus has significantly decreased. Based on the results it is instantly recognizable that the hippocampus has significantly decreased. This was caused by the electric current that was sent through the left hippocampus of the rat’s brain. This was caused by the electric current that was sent through the left hippocampus of the rat’s brain. This leads to the conclusion that the leading cause, for schizophrenics’ symptoms, is the decrease of the hippocampus which can cause the inability to restore current and new information, the loss of memory and the instability of emotions. This leads to the conclusion that the leading cause, for schizophrenics’ symptoms, is the decrease of the hippocampus which can cause the inability to restore current and new information, the loss of memory and the instability of emotions.

Future plans/questions Future questions that we would to conduct further research on. Future questions that we would to conduct further research on.  Can schizophrenia be detected earlier before it fully develops?  To find a possible cure for schizophrenia.  To see whether or not the effects that schizophrenia have on the hippocampus can lead to any other abnormalities in the brain.

References Boyle, Mary. Schizophrenia: A Scientific delusion?. New York: Chapmen and Hill Inc., Boyle, Mary. Schizophrenia: A Scientific delusion?. New York: Chapmen and Hill Inc., Haug, and Whalen. Animal Models of human Emotion and cogitation. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, Haug, and Whalen. Animal Models of human Emotion and cogitation. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, Houston, John CS. The Mind's Foundation. New York: Dr. John CS Houston, Houston, John CS. The Mind's Foundation. New York: Dr. John CS Houston, Oxford University Press, "Schizophrenia." Encyclopedia of Psychology. V Oxford University Press, "Schizophrenia." Encyclopedia of Psychology. V Wolk, Elaine F.. Schizophrenia: A life-course Developmental perspective. New York: Academic Press Inc., Wolk, Elaine F.. Schizophrenia: A life-course Developmental perspective. New York: Academic Press Inc., 1991.

Acknowledgements Dr. Jones Dr. Jones Jesse Jesse Naydu Naydu Lehman College Lehman College Harlem Children Society Harlem Children Society Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Thank You Audience For Listening Thank You Audience For Listening