Project Summary

Christopher Ross, M.D., Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2004) of Johns Hopkins University, has successfully identified several cell and mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. He now proposes to develop methods which can be applied to schizophrenia research and other major psychiatric disorders. Based on prior research, Dr. Ross believes there is strong evidence that mutation in the DISC-1 gene can be the cause of a rare genetic form of schizophrenia. He plans to develop mouse models related to mutant DISC-1 using lentiviral expression methods. Using neuropathologic analyses and behavioral studies, he predicts that this project will demonstrate that mutant DISC-1 will produce abnormal neuronal development resulting in abnormal neuronal morphology in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and possibly other forebrain regions. His long-term goal is to use the candidate gene DISC-1 as a model for how to apply the methods which he has successfully used to understand neurodegenerative diseases to study psychiatric disorders.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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