Project Summary

Michael S. Clark, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Harborview Medical Center, will study one of the connections between systems employing corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and serotonin (5-HT) as transmitters.  Chronic or inescapable stress is often a significant factor in depressive and anxiety disorders, and such stressors produce alterations in key stress mediating systems such as these.  One such target is 5-HT1B autoreceptors, which regulate serotonin release from the dorsal raphe nucleus.  Dr. Clark will extend his prior studies by examining the relationship between CRF receptor stimulation in dorsal raphe and 5-HT1B gene expression.  This study will elucidate the interactions between key neural systems involved in stress and anxiety, and thus contribute to the search for novel opportunities to intervene in anxiety and mood disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Anxiety Disorders/Unipolar Depression

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