Impairment of sensorimotor gating and working memory after temporary reelin-knockdown in the mPFC of pubertal or adult rats

Reelin is critically involved in neuronal migration processes during embryonic development. Additionally, a loss of brain reelin is associated with schizophrenia and there is evidence that the protein acts as a modulator in aspects of learning and memory. However, little is known about the influence of reelin on behavioural and cognitive functions in vivo. The present study investigated the effects of an antisense elicited, temporary reelin-knockdown in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) on rats' behaviour. A local reelin-knockdown during puberty or adulthood induced a significant sensorimotor gating deficit as well as an explicit impairment of spatial working memory following pubertal antisense injections. Western blot analyses showed a distinct and highly sensitive reelin-knockdown in the mPFC. Thus, these findings might be relevant for the understanding of (1) the pathophysiology of schizophrenia as well as (2) the role of reelin as a neurotrophic modulator of synaptic efficacy and cognitive functions