Project Summary

Jianyi Ma, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of McLean Hospital/Harvard University, has evidence that both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs seem to work on the same target in the brain: dynorphin GABAergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell, the central amygdaloid nucleus and the midline thalamic central medial nucleus. Dr. Ma also found that these neurons bear a distinct pattern of monoamine receptors that have substantial binding affinity for antipsychotic drugs. In the experiments, however, not all dynorphin GABAergic neurons responded to the drugs and further characterization of those that did is an important consideration in defining the actions of antipsychotic drugs. In the proposed project, Dr. Ma aims to investigate further other aspects of the action of antipsychotic drugs at the cellular level in these neurons. The results should help determine the specific cells mediating the shared and distinct actions of antipsychotic drugs. Knowledge gained may suggest new targets for drug treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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