Our
lab holds to a dopaminocentric view of the universe,
directing our efforts to the involvement of central
dopamine systems in neuropsychiatric disorders.
We are particularly interested in areas of intersection
and commonalities of dysfunction between Parkinson's
disease and schizophrenia. For example, studies
examine both the therapeutic and side effects
of antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia;
treatment with many of these drugs is accompanied
by extrapyramidal (parkinsonian) side effects.
Conversely, studies of dendritic remodeling in
striatal neurons in Parkinson's disease have led to new studies of the mechanisms subserving dendritic changes in prefrontal cortical pyramidal cells in schizophrenia. Still another interest is the mechanisms of action of hallucinogens, which are present in schizophrenia and can be elicited by drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease. This interest has led to studies of thalamocortical dysfunction in hallucinations. These complementary sets of studies lend some semblance of focus to our efforts, while also preventing us from becoming complacent, bored, or too stubborn.
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