Characterising and exploiting δ subunit-containing GABA-A receptors as novel targets for treating social disorders

我们最近的试验数据提供了第一个确凿的证据，证明δGABA参与了社会行为，我们已经有效地将它们作为药物靶点，以减少啮齿动物自闭症模型中的社会缺陷。该项目将：(1)彻底确定δ-GABAARs在社会行为中的作用；(2)在自闭症啮齿动物模型中评估δ-GABAARs的异常功能；(3)发现和开发针对δ-GABAARs的新药，可能为社会障碍提供急需的候选药物。

Our recent pilot data provides the first solid evidence that δGABAARs are involved in social behaviour and we have effectively targeted them pharmacologically to reduce social deficits in a rodent autism model. This project will: (1) thoroughly define the role of δ-GABAARs in social behaviour; (2) assess abnormal functioning of δ-GABAARs in a rodent model of autism; and (3) discover and develop new drugs targeting δ-GABAARs, potentially providing much needed drug candidates for social disorders.