Project Summary

Ian Paul, Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2001) of University of Mississippi, will seek to further the understanding of the mechanism of action of antidepressants and how they influence brain chemistry.  One area of focus will be excitatory amino acids, which function as neurotransmitters in the brain.  Growing evidence suggests a role for the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate and its subcellular signaling system using nitric oxide in the actions of antidepressants.  Dr. Paul's proposal will address the hypothesis that monoaminergic and excitatory amino acid neurons work together with specific subcellular transcriptional response elements in an integral pathway to produce antidepressant activity.  Dr. Paul will test the hypothesis that neurons using norepinephrine or serotonin as neurotransmitters are required for both the immediate and the long-term antidepressant effects of drugs that block the action of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters.  He will also test the hypothesis that inhibition of excitatory amino acid neurotransmission is required for the effects of antidepressants.  The study seeks to provide valuable information for the development of new treatments. 

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

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