© 2007 Alzheimer's Association
Molecular Mechanisms and Functional Consequences of MAO-induced Behaviours Model Organisms Mice Cenorhabditis elegans Mechanisms for Regulation of MAO Gene Expression Development of Neuroprotective and Regenerative Therapies to Mental Disorders Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Anxiety and Depression.Molecular%20Mechanisms%20.htmlC.elegans.htmlMechanisms%20for%20Regulation%20.htmlDevelopment%20of%20Neuroprotective%20and%20Regenerative%20Therapies%20to%20Mental%20Disorders.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3
RESEARCH
Our research objectives are to understand the functions of monoamine neurotransmitters on transcriptional regulation of gene expression, signally transduction pathways and ultimately to behaviors. These studies will not only provide new knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of brain functions but also help us understand the molecular basis of mental disorders such as bipolar depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
This information will be useful for designing novel therapeutic agents and early diagnosis of these diseases....
Movies: MAO A knockout mice after treatment with Ketanserin: There are two way we can fix the behavioral problem, such as aggressive behaviour in the mice. One way we can use genetic way, specific put the gene pack into brain region. Here we choose the forebrain region, which is associated with aggressive behaviour. So we put the MAO-A gene back to the forebrain region. Another way is, we just use the drug “Ketanserin”... MAO A knockout mice after treatment with T etrabenazine: The frame shows the fighting behaviour regulated by the MAO gene of two MAO A knockout mice when you put together. The bottom frame shows the same two MAO A knockout mice after the drug “T etrabenazine” has been adminitrated, and their behaviour has been pharmacologicly modified... MAO A and B double knockout mice: In this cage, you will see an MAO A & B double knockout mouse and a wild type mouse. The double knockout mouse are so hyper active then the other wild type counterpart. As we see here A-B double knockout mouse is runnig around the border of the cage, trying to escape. But the wild type relatively calm and investigating the surroundings.... Aggressive behavior in mice and MAO: If you put together they start to fight. Because they are knockout of an enzyme, the MAO-A form. When this enzyme not there brain seratonin, dopamin and epinephrine level all increase significantly. And we do not know what are the biochemical event, but after that the behaviour aggression.... Hyper reactivity of MAO AB knockout mice: Hyper reactivity of MAO AB knockout mice is demonstrated here. The mice is trying to do running away from being grabed. The normal mice does not really to much when you tried to grab the mice.... MAO deficient mice and development of new aspects: These are MAO deficient mice. They are more aggressive compare to the normal mice. The neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamin, and epinephrine are increased. They have abnormal behaviour. Their movement is abnormal and most obvious behaviour is they are really aggressive. We hope to develop some drug that can reduce the aggressive behaviour. We first study in the mice, and can also apply to human.... Movie%201.htmlMovie%202.htmlMovie%203.htmlMovie%204.htmlMovie%205.htmlMovie%206.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5