Project Summary

Hubert H. M. Van Tol, Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2003) of Centre For Addiction and Mental Health, will use a worm model called C. elegans as a genetic model to identify genetic factors and signaling pathways that control the state of activity of the dopamine system in the brain.  This system may be related to the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia is genetic, though the causes are still unknown.  Dr. Van Tol believes the dopamine system contributes to the development of the disorder in some people.  The C. elegans system is “an exquisite model system for genetic analyses”, as there is detailed information available on cell fate, neuronal network connections and genome sequence.  However, the C. elegans dopamine system has not yet been extensively studied, and Dr. Van Tol has identified and fully characterized a dopamine receptor gene of C. elegans.  Based on his past research, Dr. Van Tol believes that other dopamine receptors may exist, and has actually isolated several candidate receptors and mutant animals with deletions for these receptors in C. elegans.  He hopes to develop a model system for a hyperdopaminergic state that can be used for genetic screens in the future.  In the long-term, he will utilize genes he identifies from this system to be tested in human genetic studies through an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Jim Kennedy at the University of Toronto. 

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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