Project Summary

Amar Sahay, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of Columbia University, is investigating the mechanisms by which serotonin modulates neural circuit maturation to influence anxiety behavior in adulthood. The serotonergic system is central to moderating the effects of early life stress on the development of anxiety disorders and depression. Coupled with a genetic predisposition, environmental stress during the early postnatal period can disrupt the normal maturation of limbic circuitry and consequently, result in increased risk of psychiatric disorders. By studying mice lacking the serotonin 1A receptor gene, Dr. Sahay has found that normal anxiety behavior becomes established during the first three weeks of life, and has identified candidate “hippocampal circuit maturation” genes whose expression is altered during this sensitive period. Dr. Sahay seeks to characterize the role these genes play in processes underlying hippocampal circuit maturation such as dendritic development and how perturbing their function causally relates to anxiety behavior in adulthood. Results should elucidate how serotonin signaling during the sensitive period creates life-long changes in emotional behavior.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS\Anxiety Disorder

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