Project Summary

Qian Li, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2000) of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH), is investigating the process by which disrupted serotonin transporter function causes desensitization of serotonin type 1A (5HT-1A) receptors in the hypothalamus and brain stem nuclei.  It is hypothesized that lack of the serotonin transporter function gradually alters serotonin receptor systems in specific ways.  Studies will be conducted on the mechanism for the decreased density of 5HT-1A receptors in mice lacking serotonin transporters; and on the time course of reduction in serotonin receptors, serotonin signal transduction, and serotonin messenger RNA in mice which lack the gene for the serotonin transporter.  This work may lead to a better understanding of the biochemical abnormalities that underlie depression and other disorders in which serotonin dysfunction has been implicated.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

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