# Molecular and circuit mechanisms of antipsychotics

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $535,914

## Abstract

Project Abstract/Summary
Dysregulation of prefrontal cortex (PFC) dopaminergic signaling is associated with multiple neuropsychiatric
diseases, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Current antipsychotics have high affinity
for Gi/o-coupled D2 and D3 receptors (D2R, D3R). While there has been considerable focus on the role of
prefrontal D2Rs in neuropsychiatric disease, there is emerging evidence that the D3R is also critically
important. However, we know very little about the cellular distribution and function of D3Rs in prefrontal
circuits, or how antipsychotics regulate their function. The goal of this proposal is to determine the neuronal
distribution and function of D3R in prefrontal cortex, the cellular mechanisms by which D3R regulates neuronal
excitability, and the mechanisms by which antipsychotics regulate their function. We will use a combination of
electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging, and molecular biology in native and heterologous systems to examine
D3R signaling mechanisms, with particular focus on the potential role of arrestin-mediated signaling. Results of
this study will provide insight into how PFC networks function normally and abnormally in psychiatric disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9876957
- **Project number:** 5R01MH112729-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kevin J Bender
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $535,914
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-10 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9876957

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9876957, Molecular and circuit mechanisms of antipsychotics (5R01MH112729-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9876957. Licensed CC0.

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