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MAILMAN RESEARCH CENTER

Picture taken from Trends Pharmacol Sci 2001;22:188-94

Picture used by permission of
Trends Pharmacol Sci 2001;22:188-94
(click to enlarge)

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

Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology
(click to enlarge)

Personnel

Selected Publications

Original Articles

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. Rudolph U, Knoflach F Beyond classical benzodiazepines: Novel therapeutic potential of GABAA receptor subtypes.
    Nat Rev Drug Discov 2011;10:685-697
  2. Smith KS, Rudolph U Anxiety and depression: Mouse genetics and pharmacological approaches to the role of GABAA receptor subtypes.
    Neuropharmacology 2012;62:54-62.

Download Selected Publication

06.2012