Project Summary

Edwin Weeber, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Baylor College of Medicine, proposes studying in a mouse model the effects of decreasing in nerve cells the amount of the protein Reelin, levels of which are reduced in patients with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Reelin is a large protein involved in the positioning of nerve cells during development. Now, Dr. Weeber has evidence that Reelin and receptors that bind Reelin are necessary for normal nerve cell function and cognitive processes. In his proposal, Dr. Weeber will examine how reductions in Reelin can change other neuronal proteins, directly or indirectly associated with Reelin or its receptors. His mouse model only has a single functioning Reelin gene, and thus reduces Reelin protein levels by approximately 50 percent, similar to levels in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Using information about the effect of reduced Reelin levels, Dr. Weeber will then probe postmortem brain tissue from non-symptomatic and schizophrenic brains for similar changes. Results should improve understanding of how reduced Reelin can change neuronal function and cause neuropsychiatric disorders.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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