Project Summary

Xingqun Ni, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Centre for Addiction and Mental Health of the University of Toronto, aims to study connexins, the proteins involved in the formation of gap junctions, for their role in memory. Gap junctions are molecular assemblies in the brain that can form connections between neurons and evidence suggests gap junctions play an important role in memory. But few studies have investigated the relationship between gap junctions and memory. In the proposed project, Dr. Ni will try to find a relationship between a mouse’s ability to perform on memory tests and connexin expression, either at the mRNA level or the protein level (gene products). The memory abilities of mouse models, the memory deficits of schizophrenia patients and the genetic markers of connexin genes also will be analyzed. Additionally, the interactions between different connexins and different connexin genetic polymorphisms will be examined. Results could contribute to further elucidation of the genetic mechanism of memory.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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