MAILMAN RESEARCH CENTER
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Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology
The Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology (LGN) is interested in studying the functions of GABAA receptor subtypes in the central nervous system using genetically modified mice, which allow us to modulate expression of GABAA receptor subunits in defined neuronal circuits. We are interested in the role of GABAA receptors in emotional regulation (anxiety, depression), learning and memory, drug abuse, and for the amnestic action of general anesthetics.
In addition, in a separate line of research, we are working on etiological models of schizophrenia, i.e. genetically modified mice which harbor structural genomic variations associated with psychosis.
Major Funding Sources
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
National Institute of Drug Abuse
Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology |
Personnel
- Uwe Rudolph, M.D. - Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, Harvard Medical School
- Elif Engin, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
- Jing Liu, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Lauren Reynolds, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- Maksim Sigal, B.Sc - Research Assistant
- Jennifer Clark, B.A. - Administrative Manager
Selected Publications
Original Articles
- Rudolph U, Crestani F, Benke D, Brünig I, Benson JA, Fritschy J-M, Martin JR, Bluethmann H, Möhler H.Benzodiazepine actions mediated by specific γ-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor subtypes.
Nature 1999;401:796-800. - Löw K, Crestani F, Keist R, Benke D, Brünig I, Benson JA, Fritschy J-M, Rülicke T, Bluethmann H, Möhler H, Rudolph U.Molecular and neuronal substrate for the selective attenuation of anxiety.
Science 2000;290:131-34. - Smith KS, Engin E, Meloni EG, Rudolph U Benzodiazepine-induced anxiolysis and reduction of conditioned fear are mediated by distinct GABAA receptors subtypes in mice.
Neuropharmacol 2012;63:250-258 - Reynolds LM, Engin E, Tantillo G, Lau H, Muschamp JW, Carlezon WA, Rudolph U Differential roles of GABAA receptor subtypes in benzodiazepine-induced enhancement of brain stimulation reward.
Neuropsychopharmacology 2012 (in press)
Reviews
- Rudolph U, Knoflach F Beyond classical benzodiazepines: Novel therapeutic potential of GABAA receptor subtypes.
Nat Rev Drug Discov 2011;10:685-697 - Smith KS, Rudolph U Anxiety and depression: Mouse genetics and pharmacological approaches to the role of GABAA receptor subtypes.
Neuropharmacology 2012;62:54-62.
