Project Summary

Vaishali P. Bakshi, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of University of Wisconsin, Madison, is examining the role of stress and the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in mediating schizophrenia-like sensorimotor gating deficits. Schizophrenia patients have a difficulty filtering out irrelevant information and stimuli, causing a state of cognitive fragmentation and sensory inundation. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) measures the intactness of this filtering mechanism. Using rodent models of schizophrenia-like PPI deficits, Dr. Bakshi will determine if CRF receptor antagonists prevent stress-induced PPI deficits. The study will also determine if currently used antipsychotic drugs prevent stress-induced PPI deficits, or if stress makes antipsychotic medications less effective at improving PPI.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia\Pharmacology

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