Project Summary

Laurence Tecott, M.D., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2004) of University of California, San Francisco, plans on studying in animal models the regulation of serotonin use by neurons making the neurotransmitter (so-called autoregulation) and on other neurons that respond to it. Anxiety states are modulated by brain serotonin systems, and drugs that influence serotonin function are frequently used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Serotonin action is mediated by at least 14 different types of serotonin receptors. Evidence indicates that the 5-HT1A receptor subtype contributes significantly to the serotonergic regulation of anxiety. To study 5-HT1A receptor function, Dr. Tecott’s laboratory has used gene targeting technology to generate 5-HT1A receptor mutant mice that completely lack these 5-HT1A receptors. These animals display marked elevations of numerous behaviors associated with anxiety. Understanding how this alteration affects neurons that make serotonin and its receptor in neurons that make the receptor and respond to the neurotransmitter will shed light on how serotonin systems regulate anxiety. Dr. Tecott will develop new markers of anxiety-related behavior in response to stressors using novel methods in these knockout mice. Additionally he will generate mice missing only the autoreceptor to determine the effect that missing the pathway has.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS

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