Project Summary

Daniel B. Saal, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of Emory University, plans to study the impact of stress on the neuronal release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, dysregulation of which has been implicated in schizophrenia. A collection of cells in the midbrain is responsible for production of dopamine. These cells have excitatory inputs responsive to glutamate neurotransmission. Upon receiving glutamate stimulation from other cells in the mesolimbic circuit, the midbrain dopamine cells fire and subsequently release dopamine. Dr. Saal has been studying the effects of stress on the dopamine producing cells of the mesolimbic system, and has shown that a single stressful experience can make dopamine producing cells significantly more responsive to this excitatory stimulation. In turn, this should make these cells release more dopamine. This initial finding leaves open a number of questions. This proposal is to further explore this phenomenon in terms of its duration, kinetics, pharmacology and specific electrophysiological properties. He will also look at behavioral correlates of the single stress-induced physiologic changes. Lastly, he will examine the morphologic changes induced in these dopamine cells resulting from a single stress event. Results of these studies will determine if the midbrain dopamine neurons’ excitatory inputs are altered long-term or transiently in response to a single stressor and the factors that influence the change. These experiments will help us understand the role of stress in dopamine regulation.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia\Molecular

Search Again