Project Summary

Luca Santarelli, M.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of Columbia University, will attempt to strengthen support his previous findings indicating a correlation between neurogenesis and the behavioral effect of antidepressant treatment.  He will attempt to characterize the plastic changes that accompany antidepressant treatment.  He will continue exploring the relationship of the serotonin 1A receptor on the stimulatory effects of SSRI on neurogenesis by applying cutting edge mouse genetics to create a genetic model for the ablation of adult neurogenesis.  This conditional approach will enable him to turn on and off adult neurogenesis and therefore assess the contribution of this form of plasticity to antidepressant response and anxiety-like behaviors, and ultimately increasing the understanding of the mechanisms of action of antidepressants.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Mood Disorders/Anxiety Disorders

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