Prolonged QT interval in neurodevelopmental rat model of schizophrenia

QT prolongation is an independent risk factor for development of ventricular arrhythmias and eventually sudden cardiac death. It is common side effect of various medications, including antipsychotics. It was reported that schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol, olanzapine) manifested QT prolongation. Also, drug-free schizophrenic patients have increased QT interval compared to healthy controls. Possible mechanisms of QT prolongation connected with schizophrenia are still unclear. The present study on isolated hearts clearly shows that rats with schizophrenia-like phenotype manifest significantly lengthened QT interval as compared to controls. This difference was further increased after acute haloperidol administration. These data indicate that methylazoxymethanol acetate rat model of schizophrenia may be applicable tool for studying of connection between schizophrenia and QT prolongation.