BEHAVIORAL PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

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The project on Behavioral Pharmacology is primarily aimed at elucidating the interactions between functions of (a) the glutamate-mediated corticostriatal system and related anatomical systems, and (b) dopaminergic systems, including the nigrostraital system; and the functional effects of stimulant and neuroleptic drugs. Related to this primary objective are several related goals: 1. to elucidate of the functional effects of the "AA2" or quisqualic acid excitatory amino receptor, in relation to the effects of stimulants, compounds with possible anticonvulsant effects, and alcohol withdrawal; 2. to search for more effective antagonists of the AA2 receptor, 3. to conduct studies on the functional interrelationships between dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems in pharmacological and anatomical terms, and 4. to investigate CNS effects of sulfur-containing amino acids. The ultimate purpose of these studies is to enhance our understanding of the mode of action of neuroleptics and possibly brain dysfunction in schizophrenia. Secondary purposes are to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of stimulant drug effects and alcohol addiction; to develop compounds with potential utility for the acute treatment of stimulant overdose, schizophrenia, and seizure disorders; and to understand the possible forms of plasticity in the corticostriatal system.