Project Summary

Kenneth N. Fish, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of The Scripps Research Institute, points out that Reelin is an extracellular protein secreted by neurons.  Reelin protein may be involved in cognitive function in adults as well as playing a role in the developmental organization of neurons in the cortex.  When Reelin expression is eliminated during brain development major alterations in neuronal positioning and circuitry occur.  Postmortem research has shown that there is approximately a 50% decrease in Reelin expression in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of schizophrenia patients.  Dr. Fish proposes to examine Reelin signaling pathways, Reelin targets/receptors, and the relationship between Reelin and schizophrenia using mutant mice.  By identifying and characterizing the key players of the Reelin pathway, Dr. Fish hopes to eventually build new mouse models that have biological markers of schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia\Pharmacology

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