Project Summary

Philip J. Ebert, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Vanderbilt University, will study defective neural signaling that arises from alterations in neural development and is thought to be an underlying cause of schizophrenia.  The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain that appears to be a central location for such defects.  Dr. Ebert has previously demonstrated that molecules known as G-proteins (which are responsible for the transfer of many neurotransmitter and neuromodulator signals) located in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects, have a regulator that appears to be altered.  This regulator is called RGS4.  Dr. Ebert plans to generate new genetic animal models of RGS4 function.  The mouse lines to be created will have either a gain or loss of RGS4 function, thereby allowing Dr. Ebert to identify and examine the neural circuit dysfunctions caused by altered RGS4 function.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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