Project Summary

Wen-Jun Gao, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Yale University School of Medicine, will use state of the art techniques to examine the effect of clozapine on excitation and inhibition between neighboring neurons in the prefrontal cortex of ferrets.  It is proposed that clozapine's effect on excitation of the cortex occurs indirectly, via the activation of a specific class of nerve cells called interneurons, and that this effect may be input-specific.  This study may help to elucidate the cellular mechanism by which clozapine interacts with dopamine and glutamate receptor in the prefrontal cortex.  This work may help to provide relevant physiological clues as to the mechanism of action of clozapine, a breakthrough medication for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia\Pharmacology

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