Reversal of isolation-rearing-induced PPI deficits by an α7 nicotinic receptor agonist

Rationale The α7 subtype of the nicotinic receptor plays an important role in auditory sensory gating. Schizophrenics show deficient sensory gating and abnormalities in the number and regulation of nicotinic receptors. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits exhibited by isolation-reared rats are thought to model the sensorimotor gating deficits seen in schizophrenia.