Abstract
Disturbances in social skills are the most pervasive aspects of schizophrenic patients. In rodents, both phencyclidine (PCP) and methamphetamine (MAP) induced schizophrenia-like abnormal behaviors. However, there is no animal model of schizophrenia with deficits of social behaviors in primates. To establish a primate animal model of schizophrenia by using PCP and MAP treatment, 6 monkeys were used and divided into 2 groups; control (n=3) and PCP groups (n=3). PCP group received chronic PCP treatment (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.m.) for more than 7 months. The PCP monkeys sometimes received additional acute MAP treatment (2 mg/kg, i.m.) (PCP+MAP group, n=3). Monkey behaviors were recorded by CCD cameras and analyzed automatically by computer software and manually by visual inspection. Social behaviors were analyzed while each of 2 monkeys was put in both side cages that were connected to a center cage. The results indicated that social behaviors (e.g., approaching to, leaving from, following, grooming with, and mounting on other monkey) were less observed in the PCP than the control groups. The PCP group also spent less time in close proximity to other monkey than the control group. Acute treatment of MAP with the PCP monkeys further decreased social behaviors and time spent in close proximity to other monkey. These results indicated that chronic PCP and acute MAP treatment induced human schizophrenic-like abnormal social behaviors, and suggest that these monkeys can be used for a primate animal model of schizophrenia. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S57]
