Reduced G(i) and G(o) protein function in the rat nucleus accumbens attenuates sensorimotor gating deficits.

Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI) is a cross-species measure of sensorimotor gating, which is severely disrupted in patients with schizophrenia. PPI deficits can be produced in experimental animals by administration of selective D(2)-like dopamine receptor agonists in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). G proteins coupled to these receptors reportedly are altered in the NAc of patients with schizophrenia.