Project Summary

Carole Weaver, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of California, San Diego, plans to study how lithium may work on glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in the brain. Lithium is one of the oldest and most studied bipolar disorder medications, yet its brain targets are still a subject of investigation. GSK3 has been identified as a likely target of lithium action, making it critical to understand what GSK3 normally controls in brain cells and what lithium treatment prevents GSK3 from doing. It is believed GSK3 may be an important axonal transport regulator. Neurons must extend axons, long extensions of the cell, to make connections with other neurons or tissues. Axons rely on a transport system that hauls material from the cell body out to the axon tip. Axonal transport problems have been linked to many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Dr. Weaver will test the effects of blocking GSK3 activity, with lithium and other methods, on axonal transport in human neurons. Results should provide information about the link between GSK3 and axonal transport human axons, and potentially identify genes that may lead to new therapy routes for GSK3-related neurological disorders.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS

Search Again