Project Summary

Zhu Li, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of Vanderbilt University, is studying the mechanisms by which atypical antipsychotic drugs improve cognition and lead to clinically significant improvement in cognition by studying neurotransmitters in the brain of awake rats through microdialysis. Dr. Li will explore the pharmacologic effects which contribute to the release of ACh by the atypical antipsychotic drugs and where in the brain these effects are mediated (pilot data suggest stimulation of ML and antagonism of MZ muscarinic receptors may be important).  Information from this study may lead to the development of better antipsychotic drugs, as well as drugs which improve cognition in schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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