The Karl Group seeks to model schizophrenia using genetic, pharmacological and environmental tools in order to discover the underlying mechanisms responsible for this debilitating disease.
In 2008, Tim Karl established a behavioural neuroscience group at POWMRI. His team investigates genetic and environmental risk factors for schizophrenia using rodent models. Tim aims to enhance the validity of these models and also analyses the effects of improved housing conditions (environmental enrichment) on validity and well-being of test animals in medical research.
Environmental enrichment in animal model researchBehavioural, cellular and molecular studies have revealed a significant beneficial impact of environmental enrichment (EE; housing conditions that facilitate enhanced sensory, cognitive and motor stim |
The role of cannabis and other environmental factors in a genetic mouse model for schizophreniaSchizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic and disabling mental disorder that affects 1% of the world’s population. Neither environment nor genetics alone are sufficient to cause SCZ. |
