In search for a new target to treat psychosis (R-9393)

Psychosis is a severe psychopathology that has a tremendous impact on the everyday life of schizophrenic patients. Antipsychotic treatments are available but often pose a twofold problem: poor psychiatric response and severe side effects. To address this problem, we propose a novel target for the treatment of psychosis. In contrast to current treatments, this innovative target promises not only to be effective, but also to limit side-effects caused by off-target responses in the brain. Using an integrated approach in which behavioral and neurobiological aspects of psychosis are combined, we will significantly enhance our understanding of the neuronal mechanisms that drive schizophrenia. Using an innovative combination of state-of-the-art electrophysiology, optogenetics and advanced animal behaviour we will bridge the gap between neurophysiology and behaviour. We are convinced that these novel insights can lay the foundations for the development of more efficient treatment strategies.

Keywords:electrophysiological measurements, neurophysiology and behaviour, psychosis

Disciplines:Neurophysiology