Behavioral and neurochemical functions of the neurokinin receptors

• Applicant: Professor Joseph P. Huston, since 3/2019
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2005 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5456227

The neuropeptides substance P (SP), neurokinin A and neurokinin B bind with different degrees of affinity to the three known neurokinin receptors, but preferentially to the neurokinin-1 (NK1), NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. Injection of SP systemically, into the nucleus basalis magnocelluaris region or into the medial septum promotes memory. Selective non-peptide neurokinin receptor anatagonists have only recently been developed, and there is evidence for their antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. However, little is known about the effect of these compounds on cognitive processes. The cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain seem to be an important substrate for cognitive processing. Their dysfunction or degeneration is an important cause of dementia as observed in Alzheimer`s disease. The aim of this project is to employ these new NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptor antagonists to ascertain the role of these receptors in processes governing memory and their influence on the activity of cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain. The results should provide information on the clinical profile of these compounds and further our understanding of selective behavioral and neurochemicals functions of the neurokinin receptors on memory.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Privatdozentin Dr. Maria Angelica de Souza Silva, until 3/2019 (†)