Grant: Operating Grant

The prefrontal cortex is located in the front of the brain above the eyes. This brain region has a number of functions but is thought to be critically involved in our ability to work with internal representations (i.e. thoughts) to generate appropriate actions. The ability to work with internal representations is called 'working memory' and is disrupted in a number of psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and addiction. A chemical is present in the prefrontal cortex, called dopamine that changes the way the cells in this part of the brain communicate. We proposed that imbalances in dopamine associated with these diseases causes cells in the prefrontal cortex to allow too much or too little information to access the patient's thoughts or 'working memories'. In this grant application we propose to examine how cells in the prefrontal cortex represent information on a task that taps working memory. In addition we propose to use new technologies that allow us to precisely change dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex. We will explore how changes in dopamine affect the way cells in the prefrontal cortex communicate with each other and whether it is consistent with our theory. In order to understand the pathology of schizophrenia and addition one must first understanding the basic biology of the brain systems involved. This proposal is a step forward in this direction.