Project Summary

Matthew Nolan, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of Edinburgh, will investigate how altered coordination between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex may contribute to cognitive impairments seen in schizophrenia. Dr. Nolan plans to use molecular, genetic, and behavioral approaches to determine if selective alterations in the processing of information within the cerebellum can cause behavioral changes that resemble symptoms found in schizophrenia. He will use mice with targeted genetic manipulations of ion channels and membrane receptors that are important for the integration of information by cerebellar neurons. To evaluate how these manipulations influence cognitive functions that are compromised in schizophrenia, he will use established behavioral tasks and will work together with clinical colleagues to develop novel behavioral approaches. These experiments should provide a framework to evaluate how deficits in long-range coordination of neural activity contribute to schizophrenia symptoms and may establish new therapeutic treatment of schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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