John F. Neumaier

neumaier@u.washington.edu
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

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My laboratory is studying the regulation of serotonin receptors in rat brain in animal models of psychiatric illnesses. We use techniques that span molecular to behavioral levels of analysis. Our strategy is to explore the reciprocal relationship between receptor expression and behavior using techniques that focus on discrete brain regions. There are currently three main projects in the laboratory:

1. The role of 5-HT_1B autoreceptors in stress related behaviors associated with anxiety and depression. We use viral mediated gene transfer to manipulate 5-HT_1B expression in clusters of serotonergic neurons that project to different brain regions and determine the behavioral and physiological outcomes.
2. The role of 5-HT_1B and 5-HT₆ receptors in drug reward mechanisms. Nucleus accumbens neurons express these receptors heavily, and manipulating their expression with targeted gene transfer alters the rewarding properties of cocaine, amphetamine, and alcohol. We are continuing to evaluate the potential of these receptors to be targets for manipulating the addictive properties of these drugs.
3. The role of 5-HT₆ receptors in cognition. Using several behavioral models, we have found that 5-HT₆ antagonists enhance memory and overexpression of 5-HT₆ receptors in striatum impairs learning. The mechanism for these cognitive effects is not known but likely involves the modulation of other neurotransmitter systems, especially acetylcholine.