Project Summary

Philip Seeman, M.D., Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2000) of University of Toronto, is searching for mutations in the DNA for the dopamine receptors.  All known antipsychotic medications block one or more of these receptors.  Dr. Seeman will screen transcripts from these genes in autopsied brains of patients with schizophrenia, depression, and controls in order to identify variants that are associated with schizophrenia.  In addition, the prevalence of these variants will be determined in three brain regions implicated in schizophrenia--prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus.   This work may lead to the identification of vulnerability genes for schizophrenia and to the development of new antipsychotic medications.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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