Development of genetic tools to study central Avp1b receptors

描述（由申请人提供）：在人类中，有证据表明神经肽加压素可能在以异常社会行为为特征的精神健康障碍的发展和/或严重程度中发挥作用，如精神分裂症和自闭症谱系障碍。本R03应用程序的目的是开发用于探索的遗传工具

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In humans, there is evidence that the neuropeptide vasopressin may play a role in the development and/or severity of mental health disorders characterized by aberrant social behavior, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The objective of this R03 application is to develop genetic tools for the exploration of the role of the vasopressin 1b receptor in species that are behaviorally rich and in which vasopressin is known to be important to the neural regulation of social behavior, specifically, Syrian hamsters and prairie voles. The proposed experiments have been designed to test the central hypothesis that across mammalian species the vasopressin 1b receptor is conserved in sequence, distribution, and function. This knowledge is relevant to the mission of the NIMH because it will further our knowledge of the neurochemistry underlying psychiatric disorders characterized by abnormal social behavior. One specific aim is proposed that is designed to determine the sequence and distribution of the vasopressin 1b receptor in Syrian hamsters and prairie voles, as well as to develop genetic tools to use in future functional studies. The proposed research is significant because by determining how conserved the vasopressin 1b system is and how it modulates social behavior and our understanding of the vasopressin system in humans can be improved.