How can we hope to model such a complex disorder in non-human animals? The hallmarks of psychosis are referred to as 'positive symptoms' in schizophrenia - halucinations and delusions. These require language and cannot be modeled in preclinical research.
However, schizoprhenia is a complex developmental disorder with negative symptoms (anhedonia), cognitive impairments, and a distinct set of neurobiological markers - specifically dopamine D2 receptor hypersensitivity. The model pioneered by Dr. Rich Kostrzewa and brought to bear on schizophrenia by Dr. Brown captures all of these latter aspects. Neonatal treatment with the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole from post-natal days 1-21 creates a hypersensitized D2 dopamine receptor and the hypersensitivity remains robust into adulthood. This neurobiological marker for schizophrenia is accompanied by a behavioral phenotype with cognitive impairments, anhedonia, and heightened sensitivity to drugs of abuse (e.g., nicotine)
Current members of our research team, including collaborators, graduate and undergraduate students as well as former students who have gone on to bigger and better things.
Some of the recent studies we have published on the psychopharmacology of substance dependence.
Are you interested in addictions or behavioral neuroscience? We are usually accepting motivated and hard working students who want to participate in laboratory research.
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