Project Summary

Min Wang, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Yale University School of Medicine, proposes studying in monkeys the role of dopamine receptors in the prefrontal cortex for working memory, deficits of which are implicated in the cognitive dysfunctions and pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Dr. Yang hypothesizes that the D1 and D2 dopamine receptors will have different effects on the firing properties of prefrontal neurons engaging in working memory because of their differential expression in the prefrontal cortex and their distinct pharmacology. Dr. Wang intends to investigate the contribution of D2 receptors to the generation of sensory, mnemonic and motoric-related activity in prefrontal neurons by using sophisticated methods while monkeys perform a working memory task. Dr. Wang will also examine the role of different D2 receptor members and both D3 and D4 receptors in the functional activity of prefrontal neurons. She also will explore the interaction between the Dl and D2 receptor on the functionally characterized prefrontal neurons. Studies of the neural dopaminergic mechanisms underlying cognitive function are key to developing new treatments for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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