Project Summary

Tyrone D. Cannon, Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2006) of the University of California, Los Angeles, will investigate the gene Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 gene, or DISC1, using a mouse model. Specifically, he will explore the effect of targeted mutations across cognitive, anatomical, physiological, cellular, and molecular levels and will attempt to discern how the mouse model corresponds to humans with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests that DISC1 is involved in both of these disorders. Dr. Cannon will seek to determine whether the neurotransmitter systems of dopamine and glutamate agonists and antagonists influence sensitivity to and/or remediability of DISC1-induced deficits in sociability, latent inhibition, and short- and long-term memory. Using MRI and subsequent histological evaluations, he will evaluate the DISC1 strains in terms of regional gray-matter thickness, dendritic arborization, receptor density, and synaptic protein levels. This project may lead to NIH funding to support the search for additional susceptibility genes.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS\Mood Disorders/Schizophrenia\Bipolar/Schizophrenia

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