Project Summary

Anita Sidhu, Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2001) of Georgetown University, will attempt to identify the subtypes of dopamine (DA) receptors which interact with one another with recently advanced receptor selective tools.  In schizophrenia, the D2-like DA receptor is overactivated.  Alterations in the DA receptors, D1-like and D2-like subtypes, may result in the cessation of the cross regulation that normally occurs between them.  In post mortem schizophrenia striata, receptor interaction (cross talk) is absent or markedly reduced.  Dr. Sidhu believes this may indicate that the increased D2 function and/or expression of schizophrenia may be a direct result of no receptor crosstalk.  Dr. Sidhu will also examine the subtypes' ability to interact, functional consequences on signal transduction and the mechanism of cross-talk will also be measured, and it will be determined if receptor cross-talk proceeds through a second messenger, and the impact of the receptor cross-talk on receptor trafficking will be studied.  This study will not only further our understanding of the development of schizophrenia, but may provide indications for possible treatments by illustrating ways the DA receptors' cross talk can be restored.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

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