The proposed training award is designed to prepare the applicant for an independent research career studying the underlying neurobiology of depression and the antidepressant response. The training plan provides in-depth training in the transcriptional analysis of both micro-dissected brain regions and single-cells to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant response. Trainning in transcriptional analysis and bioinformatics will be provided by collaborators at the Columbia Genome Center (CGC). Specific training in single-cell transcriptional analysis will occur in the laboratory of the co-sponsor, Dr. Dulac, at Harvard University. The applicant will also receive training in immunohistochemistry and transgenic technology in the laboratory of the sponsor, Dr. Hen. All individuals providing training are experts in their fields and have agreed to participate in the training program. The trainee will attend courses to prepare her to learn these techniques. The training environment at Columbia University is ideally suited to the goals of the training program, and fosters interactions among neurobiologists, geneticists, and statisticians to solve complex biological problems. The applicant has already generated mouse models of the behavioral response to chronic antidepressant treatment. The research plan proposes to use these models to examine the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant response. Using mice which inducibly express serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors postsynaptically, but not presynaptically, the trainee will assess the role of pre vs. postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in the behavioral response to chronic fluoxetine. The role of these receptors on downstream targets of antidepressant treatment, including increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA (exons 1-5), and neurogenesis, will also be assessed. Finally, using transcriptional analysis, the trainee will attempt to identify completely novel genes involved in the antidepressant response. Identifying such genes will greatly aid the applicant in beginning an independent research career studying the underlying neurobiology of depression and the antidepressant response. Thus, the proposed training program will prepare the candidate to successfully head a laboratory using molecular biology, behavior, and bioinformatics to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying mood regulation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01MH071555-01A1
Application #
6926842
Study Section
Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section (NMB)
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2005-06-01
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2005-06-01
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$152,289
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
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Jiao, Jianwei; Nitzke, Angela M; Doukas, Demetrios G et al. (2011) Antidepressant response to chronic citalopram treatment in eight inbred mouse strains. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 213:509-20
Wang, Li; Jiao, Jianwei; Dulawa, Stephanie C (2011) Infant maternal separation impairs adult cognitive performance in BALB/cJ mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 216:207-18
Velez, Lady; Sokoloff, Greta; Miczek, Klaus A et al. (2010) Differences in aggressive behavior and DNA copy number variants between BALB/cJ and BALB/cByJ substrains. Behav Genet 40:201-10
Shanahan, Nancy A; Holick Pierz, Kerri A; Masten, Virginia L et al. (2009) Chronic reductions in serotonin transporter function prevent 5-HT1B-induced behavioral effects in mice. Biol Psychiatry 65:401-8
Wang, Li; Simpson, Helen B; Dulawa, Stephanie C (2009) Assessing the validity of current mouse genetic models of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Pharmacol 20:119-33
Holick, Kerri A; Lee, Daniel C; Hen, Rene et al. (2008) Behavioral effects of chronic fluoxetine in BALB/cJ mice do not require adult hippocampal neurogenesis or the serotonin 1A receptor. Neuropsychopharmacology 33:406-17