Project Summary

Wen-Jun Gao, M.D., Ph.D., (Young Investigator 2005) of Yale University School of Medicine, aims to use electrophysiological methods on brain tissue from the prefrontal cortex to study the dopamine and glutamate pathways, both of which are implicated in schizophrenia. By using multiple whole-cell patch clamp recording in brain slices, Dr. Gao proposes to record recurrent excitation between and among neighboring connected pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex and to examine how dopamine affects NMDA glutamate receptors. Dr. Gao hypothesizes that dopamine’s action on NMDA receptors may be input-specific, i.e., on local recurrent excitation between reciprocally connected neighboring neurons as opposed to extrinsic corticocortical and thalamocortical afferents. The project’s goal is to elucidate the cellular mechanism of interactions between dopamine and NMDA receptors in the prefrontal local circuitry. Carrying out this research should enhance knowledge about the theory that in schizophrenia cortical dopamine dysfunction and NMDA hypofunction occur. Results could provide clues to the behavioral and functional significance of the dopamine-NMDA receptor interactions that could lead to new drugs.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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