Project Summary

Anthony West, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Chicago Medical School, will use a rat model of schizophrenia to study an area of the brain believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Many studies have suggested that there is inappropriate gating of information transmitted through the prefrontal-limbic circuits at the level of the nucleus accumbens. However, these neural circuits are still poorly understood. Dr. West proposes to investigate how nitric oxide-producing interneurons and their associated signaling mechanisms modulate the synaptic interactions in the nucleus accumbens. By focusing on the interaction of these neurotransmitter systems with prefrontal and hippocampal inputs in both controls and in a rodent model of schizophrenia, Dr. West believes he can glean valuable information necessary in understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, as well as for the development of better antipsychotic drugs.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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